Interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

An interior rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly including a reflective element having a transparent substrate and a multi-zone mirror reflector established at a surface thereof. The mirror reflector includes at least a first zone and a second zone, and wherein at least one metallic reflective layer is commonly established at the surface and across the first and second zones of the mirror reflector. A display device is disposed behind the second zone of the mirror reflector and, when the display device is operating to emit display information, emitted display information passes through the second zone of the mirror reflector for viewing by a driver operating the equipped vehicle. The second zone has a degree of transmissivity of light therethrough that is greater than a degree of transmissivity of light through the first zone of the mirror reflector.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/342,452, filed Dec. 23, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,586,666, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/860,223, filed Sep. 24, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,471,438, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/528,269, filed Mar. 17, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,274,501, which is a 371 application of PCT Application No. PCT/US2003/029776, filed Sep. 19, 2003, which claims priority of U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/412,275, filed Sep. 20, 2002; Ser. No. 60/424,116, filed Nov. 5, 2002; and Ser. No. 60/489,816, filed Jul. 24, 2003, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mirror reflective element assembly for a vehicle, such as an electro-optic mirror reflective element assembly, such as an electrochromic interior or exterior rearview mirror reflective element assembly, and, more particularly, to a rearview mirror reflective element assembly which provides transmission of display information or illumination or radiant energy through the reflective element of the mirror reflective element assembly, while providing sufficient reflectance of the reflective element. Aspects of the present invention are equally applicable to interior and exterior mirror reflective element assemblies, as well as to prismatic mirror reflective element assemblies or other mirror reflective element assemblies having a single glass substrate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Variable reflectivity mirror assemblies, such as electrochromic mirror assemblies are known and are widely implemented in vehicles. The reflective element of the mirror assemblies often include two substrates or glass elements. The back or outer surface of the second substrate (commonly referred to as the “fourth surface” of the reflective element) may include a silvered coating to provide reflectance of an image. In embodiments where the mirror assembly may include a display, a window may be formed, such as by sand blasting, laser etching or the like, through the silvered coating, such that display information may be transmitted through the window for viewing by the driver. The window provides a highly transmissive, generally spectrally neutral window for the display. However, the window defines an area of the reflective element that no longer has the reflective coating, such that reflectivity is lost in the window area. Therefore, the size and the quantity of displays that can be provided at the mirror reflective element is limited.

It is known to provide a metallic reflective layer on an inward surface of the second substrate of the electrochromic reflective element (commonly known in the art as a “third surface” of the reflective element), such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 53,280,701, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. An electrochromic medium may be positioned between the metallic layer and a transparent electrically conductive layer on the inward surface of the first substrate (i.e., the “second surface” of the reflective element). However, there are concerns with the electrochromic medium of such mirror assemblies contacting the metallic layer, since chemical and/or electrochemical attack on the metallic layer may result in corrosion of the metallic layer.

As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,187, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference, a metallic conductive layer may be disposed on the third surface, with a protective layer, such as a transparent semi-conductive layer of indium tin oxide, disposed on the metallic layer. The electrochromic medium is then positioned between the protective layer and a conductive layer on the inward surface of the first substrate. It is preferable for such designs to include an adhesion layer, such as a second transparent semi-conductive layer, such as indium tin oxide, or another metallic layer, between the metallic layer and the inward surface of the second substrate, in order to enhance adhesion of the metallic layer to the second substrate.

In electrochromic mirror assemblies which include a display that may transmit through the substrates of the reflective element, the metallic layer or coating must be thin enough to be transmissive to allow viewing of the display through the metallic coating. It is known to provide a thinner metallic coating in a display area to provide increased transmissivity (but with a consequently reduced reflectivity) only in the display area or areas of the reflective element, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,356,376, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. However, such designs have layers or coatings that are relatively thin (often less than 150 Å or thereabouts in thickness) and so any variation in metallic layer thickness may lead to a significant variation in light transmission through such thin metallic coatings. Thus, such significantly thin metallic coatings or layers may have a substantially low variability tolerance for the thickness and may require a substantially uniform thickness coating, in order to provide the desired results. Such tolerances and uniformity may be difficult to achieve through sputter coating or other coating processes typically used in the manufacture of such reflective elements. Therefore, such significantly thin metallic coatings may be difficult and costly to manufacture.

An example of a known electrochromic reflective element is shown in FIG. 1. The reflective element includes an electrochromic (EC) medium layer and a metallic reflective layer sandwiched between conductive layers at the front and rear glass substrates. A display is positioned at a rear surface of the rear substrate (the fourth surface of the reflective element). The display emits light through the substrates and layers therebetween so as to be viewable by a person viewing the first surface of the reflective element. Such known reflective elements provide little or no spectrally selective transmission characteristics of visible light, as can be seen with reference to FIG. 1A (which shows the transmissivity of the ITO and silver layers at the rear substrate versus the wavelength of the radiant energy), and may be subject to chemical/electrochemical corrosion through contact with the EC medium.

Sometimes it is desired to have an illumination source and/or a camera or imaging device or sensor at an interior rearview mirror assembly for illuminating and/or capturing images of the interior cabin of the vehicle, such as part of a cabin monitoring system, a driver alertness/drowsiness detection system, an intrusion detection system, a seat occupancy detection system and/or the like. The illumination sources and imaging device, if provided at the interior rearview mirror assembly, are typically positioned around the bezel, chin or eyebrow portion of the mirror casing or at a pod or module associated with the mirror assembly or elsewhere in the vehicle. The illumination sources and imaging device cannot typically be positioned within the mirror casing due to the difficulties encountered in projecting light or illumination through the reflective element to the cabin and allowing light from within the cabin to pass through the reflective element to the imaging device. Typically, such transmissivity of light, even of infrared or near infrared light, through the reflective element may not be achieved utilizing reflective coatings that comprise a metallic layer, such as a thin silver or silver alloy or aluminum or aluminum alloy layer or the like. In such applications, the infrared or near infrared light emitted by the illumination source may reflect back into the cavity of the mirror casing, such that a desired amount of light may not reach the cabin and such that the imaging device may be adversely affected by the reflectant light.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for an electrochromic mirror assembly which provides sufficient reflectivity and sufficient transmissivity to allow for transmission of display information or illumination through the reflective element, and which overcomes the above disadvantages and shortcomings of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an interior or exterior rearview mirror assembly that has a mirror reflective element that may be spectrally tuned to substantially transmit light having a particular wavelength or range of wavelengths, while substantially reflecting other light. The mirror reflective element may comprise a third surface reflective element having a particular combination or stack of at least partially conductive layers (such as semi-conductive layers formed of at least partially conducting inorganic oxides, such as doped or undoped indium oxide, doped or undoped tin oxide, doped or undoped zinc oxide, doped or undoped nickel oxide, and/or doped or undoped tungsten oxide or the like) and metallic layer(s) at the third surface. The mirror assembly is suitable for including a display element which emits and transmits viewable information through the reflective element of the mirror assembly. More particularly, the mirror assembly of the present invention is suitable for including a display on demand (DOD) type of display. The mirror assembly of the present invention provides a particular combination of reflector design or designs suitable for a display on demand type of display which are economical and which match and/or make most beneficial use of a particular light emitting display element and color thereof. The present invention thus provides a spectrally selective transmission of visible light characteristic to the reflective element of the mirror assembly, while maintaining a substantially non-spectrally selective, substantially untinted reflectant characteristic, and while maintaining a relatively high photopic reflectance, such as greater than approximately 60% photopic reflectivity, more preferably greater than approximately 70% photopic reflectivity, and most preferably greater than approximately 80% photopic reflectivity. The spectrally selective transmissivity of the reflective element may thus be selected or tuned to optimize transmission of a particular spectral band or range of light wavelengths at least primarily emitted by the display element.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a mirror assembly for a vehicle comprises a mirror element including at least one substrate having a forward surface facing towards a viewer of the mirror assembly and a rearward surface facing away from a viewer of the mirror assembly. The mirror element comprises at least one substantially reflective metallic layer sandwiched between a respective pair of substantially transparent non-metallic layers. Each of the substantially transparent non-metallic layers and the substantially reflective metallic layer have a selected refractive index and a selected physical thickness such that the reflective element is selectively spectrally tuned to substantially transmit at least one preselected spectral band of radiant energy therethrough while substantially reflecting other radiant energy. A radiant energy emitting element is disposed at or near the rearward surface of the at least one substrate. The radiant energy emitting element is operable to emit radiant energy towards the rearward surface and through the mirror element. The radiant energy emitting element is operable to emit radiant energy with a peak intensity within the at least one preselected spectral band.

Optionally, the at least one preselected spectral band may comprise a preselected band of visible light, while the radiant energy emitting element may be operable to emit visible radiant energy or light with a peak intensity within the preselected spectral band of visible light. The radiant energy emitting element thus may provide a display on demand type of display for viewing of displayed or emitted information through the reflective element.

Optionally, the at least one preselected spectral band may comprise first and second preselected bands of radiant energy, while the radiant energy emitting element comprises first and second radiant energy emitting elements. The first radiant energy emitting element may be operable to emit radiant energy with a peak intensity within the first preselected spectral band of radiant energy and the second radiant energy emitting element may be operable to emit visible radiant energy with a peak intensity within the second preselected spectral band of radiant energy.

Optionally, the at least one preselected spectral band may comprise a preselected band of near infrared radiant energy, while the radiant energy emitting element may be operable to emit near infrared radiant energy with a peak intensity within the preselected spectral band of near infrared radiant energy. The mirror assembly may include an imaging sensor at or near the rear surface that may be sensitive to near infrared radiant energy.

Optionally, the mirror reflective element may comprise an electro-optic or electrochromic mirror element, and may comprise an electrochromic medium sandwiched between a pair of substrates. The non-metallic and metallic layers may be disposed on a third surface (the surface of the rear substrate that opposes electrochromic medium and the front substrate).

Optionally, the mirror reflective element may comprise a prismatic mirror element. The alternating non-metallic and metallic layers may be disposed on a rear surface of the prismatic element or substrate. The radiant energy emitting element may be positioned at a rear layer of the alternating layers and operable to emit radiant energy or light through the layers and the prismatic substrate, such that the information displayed or emitted by the radiant energy emitting element is viewable through the prismatic reflective element by a driver or occupant of the vehicle, while the prismatic reflective element substantially reflects light having other wavelengths or spectral bands. The radiant energy emitting element thus may provide a display on demand type of display to the prismatic mirror element.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an electrochromic mirror assembly for a vehicle comprises an electrochromic mirror element comprising a first substrate having first and second surfaces and a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces. The first and second substrates are arranged so that the second surface opposes the third surface with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween. The third surface of the second substrate comprises a transflective reflector comprising a first substantially transparent semi-conductive non-metallic layer contacting the electrochromic medium, a second substantially transparent semi-conductive non-metallic layer, and a substantially reflective metallic conductive layer sandwiched between (and electrically in contact/connection with) the first and second substantially transparent semi-conductive non-metallic layers. When the mirror element is viewed from outside the first surface (such as by a driver or passenger within the vehicle), the mirror element is substantially spectrally untinted (i.e., is substantially spectrally unselective in photopic reflectivity) when no voltage is applied across the electrochromic medium. The mirror element is at least partially spectrally selective in transmission (i.e., is at least partially tinted for transmittant light) and exhibits a spectrally selective transmission characteristic, which is established by the refractive indices and physical thicknesses of the first and second substantially transparent semi-conductive non-metallic layers and the substantially reflective metallic conductive layer. The mirror assembly includes a light emitting or display element disposed at the fourth surface of the second substrate which is operable to emit light having an emitted spectral characteristic through the mirror element. The transflective reflector is configured to exhibit a spectrally selective transmission characteristic so as to substantially transmit light having a spectral band in regions at or near the emitted spectral characteristic and to substantially reflect other light.

Optionally, the second substantially transparent semi-conductive non-metallic layer may contact the third surface of the second substrate. Optionally, the transflective reflector may comprise two or more substantially reflective metallic conductive layers. Each of the two or more substantially reflective metallic conductive layers may be sandwiched between a respective pair of substantially transparent semi-conductive non-metallic layers disposed between the electrochromic medium and the second substrate.

Optionally, the transflective reflector may substantially transmit light or radiant energy having a spectral band in the near infrared region of the spectrum, while the light emitting or display element may emit near infrared light or radiant energy through the transflective reflector. The mirror assembly may include an imaging sensor at the fourth surface that is operable to sense near infrared light.

Optionally, the transflective reflector may substantially transmit light having a first spectral band at a first visible region of the spectrum, and may also substantially transmit light having a second spectral band at a second visible region of the spectrum. The light emitting or display element may emit light that has a peak intensity at or near the first visible region, while the mirror assembly may include a second light emitting element at the fourth surface that may emit light that has a peak intensity at or near the second visible region.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an electro-optic mirror assembly, such as an electrochromic mirror assembly, for a vehicle comprises an electrochromic mirror element comprising a first substrate having first and second surfaces and a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces. The first and second substrates are arranged so that the second surface opposes the third surface, with an electrochromic medium disposed between the second substrate and the first substrate. The mirror element comprises a transflective reflector at the third surface, which comprises at least one conductive metallic reflective layer sandwiched between first and second substantially transparent semi-conductive non-metallic layers. The first substantially transparent semi-conductive non-metallic layer contacts the electrochromic medium. The mirror assembly includes a display element at the fourth surface of the second substrate. A refractive index and a physical thickness of each of the first and second substantially transparent semi-conductive non-metallic layers and the substantially reflective metallic conductive layer are selected such that the transflective reflector is selectively spectrally tuned to substantially transmit at least one preselected spectral band of visible light therethrough while substantially reflecting other visible light. The display element is configured to emit visible light with a peak intensity within the preselected spectral band.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror element and a radiant energy emitting element. The mirror element includes a substrate having a forward surface facing towards a viewer of the mirror assembly and a rearward surface facing away from a viewer of the mirror assembly. The mirror element includes at least one substantially reflective metallic layer sandwiched between a respective pair of substantially transparent non-metallic layers disposed at the rearward surface of the substrate. Each of the substantially transparent non-metallic layers and the substantially reflective metallic layer having a selected refractive index and a selected physical thickness such that the mirror element is selectively spectrally tuned to substantially transmit at least one preselected spectral band of radiant energy therethrough while substantially reflecting other radiant energy. The radiant energy emitting element is operable to emit radiant energy towards the rearward surface and through the mirror element. The radiant energy emitting element is operable to emit radiant energy with a peak intensity within the at least one preselected spectral band.

The substrate may comprises a single substrate. The single substrate may comprise a prismatic or wedge-shaped substrate. The radiant energy emitting element and alternating layers thus may provide for a display on demand type of display for a prismatic (or flat or curved) mirror assembly.

According to other aspects of the present invention, an electrochromic mirror assembly for a vehicle includes an electrically variable mirror element. The mirror element includes a first substrate having first and second surfaces and a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces. The first and second substrates are arranged so that the second surface opposes the third surface. The second substrate includes a conductive stack on the third surface. The conductive stack may comprise a first electrically conductive or semi-conductive layer deposited on the third surface, a reflective or metallic layer of reflective or metallic material on the first electrically semi-conductive layer, and a second electrically conductive or semi-conductive layer on the reflective layer. The mirror element includes an electrochromic medium disposed between the second electrically semi-conductive layer of the second substrate and the electrically semi-conductive coating on the second surface of the first substrate. The thicknesses and materials of the layers are selected to provide or exhibit a spectrally selective visible light transmission characteristic for a particular spectral band or range of wavelengths to provide enhanced transmissivity of the spectral band of light through the reflective element while providing sufficient reflectivity of other light.

In one form, the electrochromic mirror assembly may include a display element positioned at the fourth surface, wherein the display element is operable to emit light through the mirror element for viewing by a driver of the vehicle. The thicknesses of the particular layers of the conductive stack are selected such that the mirror element is spectrally tuned to transmit a predetermined spectral band of light therethrough. The spectral band that is transmittable through the mirror element may be selected to match a spectral band or range of light wavelengths emitted by the display element, such that the mirror element is spectrally tuned for the particular display element positioned at the fourth surface of the mirror element. The mirror element thus may be spectrally tuned to match at least a portion of the transmissive band or range of wavelengths of the mirror element to a particular band or range of wavelengths of the light being emitted by the display element. In one form, the peak transmissivity of the transmissive band of the mirror element is selected to match the peak intensity of the spectral band emitted by the display element. The conductive stack preferably provides at least approximately 60 percent photopic reflectance (preferably as measured in accordance with Society of Automotive Engineers test procedure SAE J964a, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), more preferably at least approximately 70 percent photopic reflectance, and most preferably at least approximately 80 percent photopic reflectance, while providing at least approximately 10 percent transmission, preferably at least approximately 15 percent transmission, more preferably at least approximately 20 percent transmission, and most preferably at least approximately 30 percent transmission, of at least a particular spectral band of light. Preferably, the physical thicknesses of the layers are selected to limit tinting and/or color interference affects as seen in the mirror element (i.e. to provide a neutral reflector) and to spectrally tune the mirror element for a transmission characteristic for providing enhanced transmissivity through the mirror element for a particular spectral band or range of wavelengths, in order to match the transmissivity of the mirror element to the spectral band of emission of light from the display element.

The semi-conductive layers and metallic layer of the conductive stack may be deposited at the third surface via a sputter coating process. The present invention thus may provide a low cost reflective element which provides for sufficient transmission of a particular spectral band or bands of visible light and sufficient reflectance at the third surface of the mirror assembly (with at least 60% photopic reflectance preferred, more preferably, with at least 70% photopic reflectance, and most preferably, with at least 75% photopic reflectance). Preferably, the semi-conductive layers, such as indium tin oxide or the like, sandwiching the metallic layer are formed of the same material. Thus, for example, a conductive stack of alternating layers may comprise a metallic layer of silver sandwiched between two semi-conductive layers of indium tin oxide.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an electro-optic or electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly comprises an electro-optic or electrochromic mirror reflective element. The electro-optic mirror element provides a substantially reflective mirror element having a first region having a first reflectivity and a first transmissivity and a second region having a second reflectivity and a second transmissivity. The electro-optic mirror element includes a display element positioned at or behind the second region and operable to transmit light through the second region. The first reflectivity is greater than the second reflectivity. Preferably, the second region provides at least approximately 25% transmissivity of light from the display.

Therefore, the present invention provides a mirror reflective element, such as a third surface reflective element or mirror element or a fourth surface reflective element or a prismatic reflective element or the like, which is sufficiently and spectrally selectively transmissive or spectrally tuned to allow a particular spectral range or band of light to pass therethrough from a display at the rear surface of the mirror reflective element. The layers of the reflective element are selected or spectrally tuned to match one or more predetermined or selected spectral bands or ranges of wavelengths and to thus pass the predetermined spectral bands of light therethrough, while being substantially reflective to other spectral bands or wavelengths of light, and do not require windows or apertures formed in the reflective metallic layer of the reflective element.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes, and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the study of the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a conventional electrochromic mirror reflective element;

FIG. 1A is a graphical depiction of the transmissivity of visible light of the conventional electrochromic mirror reflective element of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an interior rearview mirror assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the mirror assembly taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a second substrate and opaque conductive and reflective layers suitable for use in the mirror assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a front elevation of a second substrate of a reflective element in accordance with the present invention, with a tab-out portion to facilitate electrical connection with the conductive layers;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the second substrate taken along the line VI-VI in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another interior rearview mirror assembly in accordance with the present invention, with a display;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a reflective element of the mirror assembly taken along the line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 6 of a second substrate in accordance with the present invention, which is suitable for use in the mirror assembly of FIG. 7, and includes a tab-out portion to facilitate electrical connection with the conductive layers;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of another second substrate and transmissive conductive and reflective layer or stack in accordance with the present invention suitable for use in a mirror assembly having a display;

FIG. 11 is another sectional view of a particular embodiment of a reflective element of the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a graphical depiction of the transmissivity of the reflective element of FIG. 11;

FIG. 11B is a graphical depiction of the emission spectrum of the display element for the reflective element of FIG. 11;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of another particular embodiment of a reflective element of the present invention;

FIG. 12A is a graphical depiction of the transmissivity of the reflective element of FIG. 12;

FIG. 12B is a graphical depiction of the emission spectrum of the display element for the reflective element of FIG. 12;

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of another particular embodiment of a reflective element of the present invention;

FIG. 13A is a graphical depiction of the transmissivity of the reflective element of FIG. 13;

FIG. 14 a sectional view of a particular embodiment of a double stack reflective element of the present invention;

FIG. 14A is a graphical depiction of the transmissivity of the double stack reflective element of FIG. 14;

FIG. 14B is a graphical depiction of the emission spectrum of the display element for the double stack reflective element of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15 a sectional view of another particular embodiment of a double stack reflective element of the present invention;

FIG. 15A is a graphical depiction of the transmissivity of the double stack reflective element of FIG. 15;

FIG. 16 a sectional view of a particular embodiment of a multiple stack reflective element of the present invention;

FIG. 16A is a graphical depiction of the transmissivity of the multiple stack reflective element of FIG. 16;

FIG. 17 a sectional view of another particular embodiment of a multiple stack reflective element of the present invention;

FIG. 17A is a graphical depiction of the transmissivity of the multiple stack reflective element of FIG. 17;

FIG. 18 is a forward facing view of another electro-optic mirror reflective element in accordance with of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of another reflective element in accordance with the present invention, which is capable of transmitting near infrared illumination therethrough;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of another reflective element in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a sectional view of another reflective element in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a graphical depiction of the transmissivity of light through the cover and rear substrate of the reflective elements of FIGS. 19-21;

FIG. 23 is a sectional view of another reflective element in accordance with the present invention, which is capable of transmitting near infrared illumination therethrough;

FIG. 24 is a sectional view of another reflective element in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a sectional view of another reflective element in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a graphical depiction of the transmissivity of light through the rear substrate and IRT stack of the reflective elements of FIGS. 23-25;

FIG. 27 is a graphical depiction of the transmissivity of light through the front substrate and enhanced semi-conductive layers of the reflective element of FIG. 24;

FIG. 28 is a graphical depiction of the transmissivity of light through the front substrate and enhanced semi-conductive layers of the reflective element of FIG. 25;

FIG. 29 is a sectional view of a reflective element similar to the reflective element of FIG. 25, with an anti-reflective stack or layers on a rear surface of the rear substrate in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a sectional view of another reflective element in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 31 is a graphical depiction of the transmissivity of light through the rear substrate and IRT-DOD stack of the reflective element of FIG. 30; and

FIG. 32 is a sectional view of a prismatic reflective element in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depicted therein, an electrochromic interior rearview mirror assembly 10 is mounted to a mounting button 12 mounted at an interior surface of a windshield 14 of a vehicle (FIG. 2). Mirror assembly 10 includes a housing or casing 15 and an electrochromic reflective element or mirror element or cell 16 which has electrically variable reflectivity. Reflective element 16 includes first and second glass substrates 22, 24, and provides a third surface reflective element, whereby the reflective coating of the reflective element 16 is deposited on the third surface 24 a of the substrates (FIG. 3). An electrochromic medium 40 and a plurality of metallic and non-metallic conductive or semi-conductive layers 28 are disposed between the electrochromic medium 40 and the second substrate 24. The refractive indices and physical thicknesses of the layers are selected to maximize transmission of a particular spectral band of light while substantially reflecting other light to provide a desired degree of photopic reflectance. While also providing the desired degree of conductivity across the layers.

Although shown and described herein as being implemented in an interior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, the reflective element or mirror element of the present invention is equally suitable for or applicable to other electro-optic reflective elements, or reflective elements for exterior rearview mirror assemblies for vehicles or for other mirror assemblies, without affecting the scope of the present invention. Also, although shown and described as an electrochromic reflective element, aspects of the present invention may be equally applicable to prismatic reflective elements (such as described below with respect to FIG. 32) or to exterior reflective elements, without affecting the scope of the present invention. Also, the mirror element of the present invention may comprise a substantially flat element or substrate or may comprise a curved element or substrate, such as a convex element or aspheric element or the like, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

Electrochromic reflective element 16 comprises a first or front substantially transparent substrate 22 and a second or rear substantially transparent substrate 24 (which may be glass substrates or the like). The first substrate 22 includes an electrically conductive or semi-conductive layer 26, such as a tin oxide (doped or undoped) or indium tin oxide (ITO) or any other transparent electrically semi-conductive layer or coating or the like (such as indium cerium oxide (ICO), indium tungsten oxide (IWO), or indium oxide (IO) layers or the like or a zinc oxide layer or coating, or a zinc oxide coating or the like doped with aluminum or other metallic materials, such as silver or gold or the like, or other oxides doped with a suitable metallic material or the like), deposited on an inward surface 22 a of first substrate 22 (i.e., the second surface 22 a of the reflective element 16).

Also, the first (or forward or outermost) surface 22 b of front substrate 22 (exposed to the atmosphere exterior of the mirror assembly) may be optionally coated with an anti-wetting property such as via a hydrophilic coating (or stack of coatings), such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,193,378; 5,854,708; 6,071,606; and 6,013,372, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Also, or otherwise, the first (outermost) surface 22 b of front substrate 22 may be optionally coated with an anti-wetting property such as via a hydrophobic coating (or stack of coatings), such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,187, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Such hydrophobic property on the first/outermost surface of electrochromic mirror reflective elements (and on the first/outermost surface of non-electrochromic mirror, non-electro-optical conventional reflective elements) can be achieved by a variety of means, such as by use of organic and inorganic coatings utilizing a silicone moiety (for example, a urethane incorporating silicone moieties) or by utilizing diamond-like carbon coatings. For example, long term stable water-repellent and oil-repellent ultra-hydrophobic coatings, such as described in PCT Application Nos. WO0192179 and WO0162682, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein, can be disposed on the first (outermost) surface 22 b of front substrate 22. Such ultra-hydrophobic layers comprise a nano structured surface covered with a hydrophobic agent which is supplied by an underlying replenishment layer (such as is described in Classen et al., “Towards a True ‘Non-Clean’ Property: Highly Durable Ultra-Hydrophobic Coating for Optical Applications”, ECC 2002 “Smart Coatings” Proceedings, 2002, 181-190, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein).

Second or rear substrate 24 includes at least three layers or coatings defining a reflective and conductive layer or stack or 1SI layer or stack 28 (i.e., the combination or stack of a layer of: a semi-conducting coating, such as an ITO layer or the like; a metallic layer, such as a layer of silver, aluminum or an alloy of silver or an alloy of aluminum or other metal or metal alloy; and another layer of a semi-conducting coating, such as an ITO layer or the like, as discussed below, is referred to herein as an ISI stack or layer) on an inward surface 24 a of second substrate 24 (or the third surface of the reflective element). Thus, an ISI stack 28 comprises a metallic layer sandwiched between two semi-conducting layers (both of which preferably are the same material, but either of which can be different from the other). In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, ISI layer 28 comprises a first semi-conductive layer 30 disposed on inward surface 24 a of second substrate 24, a second semi-conductive layer or adhesion layer 32 disposed on semi-conductive layer 30, a metallic layer or coating 34 disposed on semi-conductive layer 32, and a transparent semi-conductive layer or passivation layer 36 disposed on metallic layer 34. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, first semi-conductive layer 30 extends outwardly from the other ISI layers 32, 34 and 36, in order to provide for electrical connection with bus bars 38 of mirror assembly 10. Although referred to herein as an “ISI layer” or an “ISI stack”, the conductive and reflective stack or layers of the present invention may comprise materials or coatings other than ITO, ICO, IO, IWO layers or coatings or the like and silver or silver alloy layers or coatings, without affecting the scope of the present invention. For example, a semi-conducting layer of doped zinc oxide, or a semi-conducting layer of cadmium stannate, or a semi-conducting layer of titanium nitride or other titanium compound or the like may be used in the stack, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first and second substrates 22, 24 are positioned in spaced-apart relationship with one another with an electrochromic medium 40 disposed between semi-conductive layer 26 and semi-conductive layer 36. The electrochromic medium 40 changes color or darkens in response to electricity or voltage applied to or through the semi-conductive layers 26 and 30 at either side of the electrochromic medium. The electrochromic medium 40 disposed between the front and rear substrates 22, 24 may be a solid polymer matrix electrochromic medium, such as is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,154,306, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, or other suitable medium, such as a liquid or solid medium or thin film or the like, such as the types disclosed in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/793,002, entitled VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEMS INCORPORATING AN ACCESSORY MODULE, filed Feb. 26, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268, and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,668,663 and 5,724,187, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein, without affecting the scope of the present invention. The electrochromic mirror element may utilize the principles disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,140,455; 5,151,816; 6,178,034; 6,154,306; 6,002;544; 5,567,360; 5,525,264; 5,610,756; 5,406,414; 5,253,109; 5,076,673; 5,073,012; 5,117,346; 5,724,187; 5,668,663; 5,910,854; 5,142,407 or 4,712,879, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, or as disclosed in the following publications: N. R. Lynam, “Electrochromic Automotive Day/Night Mirrors”, SAE Technical Paper Series 870636 (1987); N. R. Lynam, “Smart Windows for Automobiles”, SAE Technical Paper Series 900419 (1990); N. R. Lynam and A. Agrawal, “Automotive Applications of Chromogenic Materials”, Large Area Chromogenics: Materials and Devices for Transmittance Control, C. M. Lampert and C. G. Granquist, EDS., Optical Engineering Press, Wash. (1990), which are hereby incorporated by reference herein, and in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/793,002, filed Feb. 26, 2001 by Schofield et al. for VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEMS INCORPORATING AN ACCESSORY MODULE, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Reflective element 16 may also include a seal 41 positioned around the outer portions of the layers 32, 34, 36 and the electrochromic medium 40 to seal the layers and avoid corrosion of the metallic layer 34.

During operation, a voltage may be applied to reflective element 16 via bus bars 38 positioned around and engaging the outer edges of the semi-conductive layers 26, 30 (FIG. 3). The voltage applied by bus bars 38 is bled from semi-conductive layer 30 and through the layers 32, 34, 36 to the electrochromic medium 40. The ISI layer 28 of the present invention preferably provides for reduced resistance through the layers, which provides for faster, more uniform coloration of the electrochromic medium 40, since the electrons applied via bus bars 38 at semi-conductive layer 30 may bleed through the semi-conductive layers 32, 36 faster due to the enhanced conductivity in the conductive layers 32, 36. Preferably, the ISI layer or stack 28 provides a sheet resistance of less than approximately 10 ohms per square, more preferably less than approximately 5 ohms per square, and most preferably less than approximately 2 ohms per square. Desirably, and particularly for larger area mirrors, the sheet resistance is less than approximately 1 ohm per square, such as in the range of approximately 0.1 to 0.7 ohms per square.

In order to provide enhanced performance of the electrochromic element, each of the layers of the ISI layer or stack has substantial conductivity and none of the layers significantly retard electron/electrical conductivity from one layer to the other throughout the stack, and, thus, do not impede the flow of electrons into the electrochromic (EC) medium. In this regard, it is desirable that one or more of the metallic layers comprises a metallic material (which is preferably a highly reflective material, such as silver or silver alloys or the like) having a specific resistivity of preferably less than approximately 5×10-5 ohm.cm, more preferably less than approximately 1×10-5 ohm.cm, and most preferably less than approximately 5×10-6 ohm.cm. Preferably, such a highly conductive metallic layer or layers is/are sandwiched between two non-metallic, partially conducting layers, preferably formed of a non-metallic material (such as a semi-conducting oxide, such as indium oxide, tungsten oxide, tin oxide, doped tin oxide or the like) having a specific resistivity of less than approximately 1×10-2 ohm.cm, more preferably less than approximately 1×10-3 ohm.cm, and most preferably less than approximately 5×10-4 ohm.cm.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, first semi-conductive layer 30 is deposited on inward surface 24 a of second substrate 24. The semi-conductive layer 30 may be deposited on the glass or substrate 24 via any suitable process. The particular thickness of the conductive layer may vary depending on the particular application of reflective element 16, as discussed below. In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 2-4, the semi-conductive layer 30 need not be transparent and may comprise a chromium layer or the like. However, the semi-conductive layer 30 may comprise a generally transparent semi-conductive layer of coating, such as a tin oxide layer, an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer or the like, without affecting the scope of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, semi-conductive layer 30 may comprise a chromium layer on surface 24 a of second substrate 24.

The transparent semi-conductive layers 32 and 36 of ISI layer 28 on second substrate 24 may comprise non-metallic transparent electrically conducting or semi-conducting materials, such as tin oxide, indium oxide, indium cerium oxide, indium tungsten oxide, nickel oxide, tungsten oxide, indium tin oxide, half-wave indium tin oxide, full wave indium tin oxide, doped tin oxides, such as antimony-doped tin oxide and fluorine-doped tin oxide, doped zinc oxides, such as antimony-doped zinc oxide and aluminum-doped zinc oxide, and/or the like. Both of the semi-conductive layers 32, 36 may comprise the same type of material for ease of manufacturing, as discussed below.

Metallic layer or coating 34 comprises a thin film or layer of metal, such as silver, aluminum, or alloys thereof, or the like, with a selected thickness to provide sufficient reflectivity and/or transmissivity, as discussed below. The selected metallic material may comprise silver, but may otherwise comprise a material selected from aluminum, silver alloys, aluminum alloys (such as 6061 or 1100 aluminum alloys or the like), manganese, chromium or rhodium, or any other metallic material which is sufficiently reflective and/or transmissive at a selected thickness. The thickness of metallic layer 34 is preferably selected to be thick enough (such as approximately 60-100 nm or 600-1000 Å) to be substantially reflective and not transmissive, such that the ISI layer 28 is substantially opaque or non transparent.

In a preferred embodiment, the semi-conductive layer 30 comprises indium tin oxide (ITO) and is deposited onto surface 24 a of substrate 24 via a hot deposition process, involving, for example, sputter deposition onto a heated substrate, with the heated substrate often being heated to a temperature of greater than about 200° C., sometimes greater than 300° C., as is known in the art. The combination of the semi-conductive layer 30 on the substrate 24 defines a conductive substrate which may be used for various embodiments of the present invention, as discussed below.

The semi-conductive layer 32 of ISI layer 28 may be deposited onto semi-conductive layer 30 via a cold deposition process, such as sputter coating or the like onto an unheated substrate. Preferably, each of the layers 32 34, 36 of ISI layer 28 is deposited on second substrate 24 by a sputter deposition process. More particularly, the substrate 24 (including the semi-conductive layer 30 already deposited thereon) may be positioned in one or more sputter deposition chambers with either planar or rotary magnetron targets, and with deposition of the layers being achieved by either reactive deposition of an oxide coating by sputtering from a metal target (or from a conductive, pressed oxide target) in an oxygen-rich atmosphere, or by DC sputtering from an oxide target, such as an IO, IWO, ITO or ICO target or the like. For example, the substrate 24 may be sputter coated with two targets in a single chamber, such as by depositing the ITO layer 32 on semi-conductive layer 30, turning or flipping the targets for sputter coating of the metallic layer 34, and then turning the targets back to deposit the second ITO layer or passivation layer 36 on the metallic layer 34. With such a process, it is important that the two ITO layers 30, 34 comprise the same conductive material. Alternately, two targets may be positioned in a row, such that the substrate 24 is moved from one target (for the first ITO coating) to the other (for the metallic coating) and then back to the first (for the second ITO coating). It is further envisioned that three targets may be positioned in a row, with each target depositing the layer in order on the substrate (in which case it would not be as important to have the semi-conductive or ITO layers 32,36 comprise the same material). Other processes for applying or depositing layers of conductive material or layers and metallic material or layers may be implemented, without affecting the scope of the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, semi-conductive layer 30 may be deposited or applied to substantially the entire surface 24 a of substrate 24, while the outer region or edge of semi-conductive layer 30 and substrate 24 may be masked during the deposition process so that layers 32, 34, 36 do not cover the outer edge of substrate 24 and semi-conductive layer 30.

Because the embodiment of the reflective element of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 4 does not include a display on demand or other type of display transmitting or projecting through the electrochromic reflective element, it is desirable to have a thick metallic or silver layer 34, such as in a range of approximately 60-100 nm (600-1000 Å), because the metallic layer does not have to be transmissive of any light therethrough. It is also unnecessary for the second substrate to be transparent. However, it is desirable to avoid tinting or color interference affects as seen in reflection from the reflector (which may arise when stacking layers of conductive coatings and/or metallic coatings on top of one another), because it is desirable to have a neutral or non-colored/non tinted reflector when no voltage is applied across the electrochromic medium.

Optionally, the metallic layer may be absent or removed at portions, such as to create a local window for placement therebehind of a light emitting display, such as a compass display or PSIR display or other informational display or the like, such as a display of the type disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,222,460 and 6,326,900, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, but while maintaining at least the underlying semi-conducting ITO layer at the local window region so that electrical connection through the electrochromic medium at that local region is sustained. In this regard, it is preferable to have an ITO underlayer with a sheet resistance of less than approximately 80 ohms per square, more preferably less than approximately 25 ohms per square, and most preferably less than approximately 15 ohms per square.

In order to avoid such undesirable tinting or color interference affects, such as yellow tinting or other color tinting of the compound or stacked reflective element, as seen in the reflection when the electrochromic reflective element is unpowered, the physical thicknesses of the conductive layers and the metallic layer are selected to provide a desired combination of layer thicknesses to achieve the desired results. For example, the ISI layer 28 may include an adhesion layer or undercoating semi-conductive layer 32 of approximately 100 Å±50 Å of ITO or the like, a silver layer 34 of approximately 800 Å±200 Å and a passivation semi-conductive layer 36 of approximately 120 Å±25 Å of ITO or the like, which provides a desired result with minimal yellow tinting or other color tinting or color interference affects as seen in the reflection.

The range of thicknesses of the layers may be selected to provide a desired untinted affect in the reflection, such that the reflective element may be spectrally tuned to provide a desired reflectant untinted appearance. Testing of various embodiments has shown that the thicknesses of the layers may vary by approximately 25 percent or more from a desired or targeted dimension, yet will still provide the desired results. Such tolerances significantly ease the processing of the ISI layer, since this is well within the capability of typical sputter coating equipment. The layers of the reflective element and ISI stack may be selected such that the reflective element provides a substantially spectrally untinted reflection when viewed by a driver or passenger in the vehicle when no voltage is applied across the electrochromic medium. Also, the layers may be selected and combined to exhibit a spectrally selective transmissive characteristic, which is established by the refractive indices and physical thicknesses of the layers disposed between the electrochromic medium and the third surface of the second substrate.

Although the above embodiment provides a desired neutral color/tint for the reflector, if the passivation layer 36 is increased in thickness, the reflector may become tinted or yellowed. However, if the passivation layer is further increased in thickness to approximately 680 Å, then the non tinting is approximately the same as when the passivation layer has a thickness of approximately 120 Å. This periodic change in tinting affect in response to the thicknesses of the layers or coatings of the ISI layer of the present invention allows for selection of different thicknesses of the layers depending on the particular application and desired result of the electrochromic reflective element of the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, a reflective element 116 may have alternating layers or an ISI stack or layer 128 comprising a first semi-conductive layer or adhesion layer 132 deposited or sputter coated directly onto surface 24 a of second substrate 24, a metallic layer 134 deposited on semi-conductive layer 132, and a second semi-conductive layer or passivation layer 136 deposited on metallic layer 134. The second or rear substrate 24 is masked around substantially the entire outer region 24 c of surface 24 a during the deposition process, such that the ISI layer 128 is not deposited in the masked region 24 c. However, the substrate is not masked over the entire outer edge or region of substrate 24, in order to allow deposition of the ISI layer at a particular area, such that a tab-out portion or area 131 is formed in the ISI layer 128. The tab out area 131 facilitates electrical connection with the conductive coatings 132, 134, 136, such that the first semi-conductive layer 30 of reflective element 16 is not required. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reflective element 116 may include a semi-conductive layer 132 of an ITO coating which has a thickness of approximately 100 Å±25 Å, a silver layer 134 having a thickness of approximately 900 Å±100 Å, and a second semi-conductive layer 136 of ITO or the like having a thickness of approximately 120 Å±25 Å. Such an arrangement of semi-conductive layers and a sandwiched metallic layer provides a neutral reflectance with minimal tinting or color interference affects as seen in reflectance and with the electrochromic medium unpowered.

The opaque ISI layer 28, 128 and the third surface reflective element of the present invention therefore provides an economical, low cost electrochromic reflective element, which provides a neutral color reflection. Typically, for a sputter coating operation, a range of within ±5% of a nominal target for uniformity of coating is desired. However, in the present invention, the uniformity tolerance is approximately ±25% for each of the coatings or layers from cell to cell. The ISI layer on the second substrate thus may be easy and fast to manufacture due to the thicknesses and the tolerances for the thickness of each particular coating.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, a mirror assembly 210 in accordance with the present invention (shown as an interior rearview mirror assembly in FIG. 7; however, the reflective element 216 may be implemented at an exterior mirror assembly or other mirror assembly, without affecting the scope of the present invention) may include a display system or element 218 which is operable to provide, emit or display information or light through a mirror element or reflective element 216 of the mirror assembly. The light is emitted through the reflective element 216 at a display area 220 of mirror assembly 210, such that the display information or light is viewable by a driver of the vehicle. The reflective element 216 includes first (or front) and second (or rear) substrates 222, 224, and a conductive and transmissive ISI stack or layer or DOD stack or layer 228 disposed on the inward surface 224 a of the second substrate (or the third surface of the reflective element). The second substrate 224 and ISI layer 228 comprise a transflective one way mirror, such as disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Preferably, the mirror reflective element (behind which the display is disposed so that the information displayed is visible by viewing through the mirror reflective element) of the mirror assembly comprises a transflective mirror reflector, such that the mirror reflective element is significantly transmitting to visible light incident from its rear (i.e., the portion furthest from the driver in the vehicle), while simultaneously the mirror reflective element is substantially reflective to visible light incident from its front (i.e. the position closest to the driver when the interior mirror assembly is mounted in the vehicle). The transflective electrochromic reflective minor element (such as is disclosed in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/793,002, entitled VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEMS INCORPORATING AN ACCESSORY MODULE, filed Feb. 26, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268, and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,668,663 and 5,724,187, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein) comprises an electrochromic medium sandwiched between the first and second substrates.

The ISI stack or layer 228 includes a conductive metallic layer 234, which is thin enough to be sufficiently transparent or transmissive to allow the display information to be transmitted through the ISI or DOD layer 228 and through reflective element 216 for viewing by the driver of the vehicle. As the thickness of the metallic layer 234 decreases, the transmissivity increases, but the reflectivity decreases. Therefore, a desired thickness of the metallic layer (along with a desired thickness of the other layers of the ISI stack or layer) must be selected to provide sufficient reflectivity and transmissivity, as discussed below. Because the metallic layer 234 is at least partially transmissive, it is desirable to provide an opaque coating or tape or the like 225 on an outer surface 224 b of second substrate 224 (or the fourth surface of the reflective element 216). The coating or tape 225 may be a black tape or other color tape or coating.

Display system 218 preferably comprises a display on demand type of display and includes a display element or light emitting device 218 a positioned at the back surface 224 b of second substrate 224. Display element 218 a is operable to emit light, such as in the form of indicia, alphanumeric characters, images, or the like, in response to a control or input. Display element 218 a may be a vacuum fluorescent (VF) display element, a light emitting diode (LED) display element, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display element, a gas discharge display element, a plasma display element, a cathode ray tube display element, a backlit active matrix LCD screen, an electroluminescent display element, a field emission display element or the like, without affecting the scope of the present invention. The particular display element may be selected to provide a desired color to the display. For example, a VF display element may provide a blue-green color or other colors to the information displayed (depending on the phosphor selected for the display), while a light emitting diode display element may provide other colors, such as reds, ambers, or other colors to the information displayed.

Preferably, the display is a display-on-demand type of display, such as of the type disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,668,663 and 5,724,187, and/or in U.S. patent applications, Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381; and Ser. No. 09/793,002, filed Feb. 26, 2001 by Schofield et al. for VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEMS INCORPORATING AN ACCESSORY MODULE, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference. With such a display, it is not only desirable to adjust the display brightness according to ambient lighting conditions, but it is also desirable to adjust the display brightness such that a sufficient contrast ratio is maintained against the variable background brightness of the reflected scene. Also, it may be desirable to compensate for changes in transmission of the electrochromic device effected to control rearward glare sources, so that the display brightness appears to be maintained at a generally constant level.

It is envisioned that the display 218 may include a filter or spectral element 217 positioned between the illumination source or display element 218 a of the display 218 and the outer or fourth surface 224 b of second substrate 224. The filter 217 may function to filter out light having a wavelength outside of the desired band of light being emitted by the display element or, in other words, the filter or spectral element 217 may transmit a band width of light that substantially matches the particular spectral output of the display or that substantially matches a desired color for the display information. By transmitting only the spectral band which at least generally matches the spectral output of the display device, the filter functions to filter out ghost images of the display, where ambient light may enter the display, such that the display characters may be visible through the reflective element when the display is off.

Because the reflectivity of the metallic layer 234 provides sufficient reflectance over its entire surface (i.e., there are no “windows” formed in or through the metallic layer), mirror assembly 210 may include other displays or multiple display on demand type displays, or other types of displays, such as one or more “display on need” type displays or the like. For example, one or more display on need type displays 213 (FIG. 7) maybe provided, such as to indicate to the driver of the vehicle that a door of the vehicle is ajar, or that the driver's seat belt is not fastened, or any other condition or status that may be important to the driver or occupant of the vehicle. The display on need type display or displays may provide indicia, alphanumeric characters, symbols, or the like via one or more light emitting sources (not shown) behind the second substrate in a similar manner as display system 218 discussed above, and may include a filter (also not shown) for filtering out light that is not within the desired spectral band of the particular display system.

In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8, ISI or DOD layer or stack 228 includes a first semi-conductive layer 230, a second semi-conductive layer or adhesion layer 232, a reflective and transmissive metallic layer 234 and a semi-conductive or passivation layer 236. Similar to ISI layer 28, discussed above, semi-conductive layer 230 maybe deposited or applied to substantially the entire surface 224 a of substrate 224, while the outer region or edge of semi-conductive layer 230 and substrate 224 may be masked during the deposition process so that the layers 232, 234, 236 do not cover the outer edge of substrate 224 and semi-conductive layer 230.

Preferably, the physical thicknesses and materials of the metallic layer 234 and the semi-conductive layers 230, 232 and 236 are selected to provide sufficient transmissivity of at least a particular spectral band or range of wavelengths of light which generally matches the peak intensity spectral band of light being emitted by the display. Such spectral tuning or matching of the layers to the display allows the display information to transmit through the reflective element for viewing of the display information by the driver of the vehicle, while also providing sufficient reflectivity over the entire reflective element, and while minimizing the tinting or color interference affects on the reflected image (or targeting such tinting affects toward a desired color). Preferably, the light transmission of the particular spectral band through the reflective element is greater than approximately 15 percent and the reflectivity of the reflective element to other wavelengths of light is greater than approximately 80 percent. More preferably, the light transmission of the particular spectral band is greater than approximately 20 percent, and most preferably greater than approximately 25 percent.

The reflective element 216 is spectrally tuned to maximize transmissivity of a particular desired or targeted range or ranges of wavelengths or spectral bands and to substantially reflect or not transmit other wavelengths of light. The particular choices or thicknesses/materials of the layers is influenced by the spectral emission of the display being used in the mirror assembly. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a transmissive ISI or DOD layer or stack 228 includes a metallic layer 234 of approximately 350 Å sandwiched between a semi-conductive passivation layer 236 of approximately 68 nm (680 Å) and a semi-conductive adhesion layer 232 of approximately 41 nm (410 Å). The adhesion layer 232 is deposited on a semi-conductive layer 230 having a thickness of approximately 30 nm (300 Å). In this embodiment, the ISI layer 228 is spectrally tuned for transmission of an orange light (having a peak intensity wavelength in the range of approximately 600 nm) emitting from display device 218 a.

In certain conditions, the ambient light intensity within the cabin of the vehicle may be sufficiently high so that reflected light from the mirror reflective element and, in particular, from the display region 220, tends to “wash-out” the display. It is envisioned that this glare may be reduced by taking advantage of the electrochromic function of the mirror assembly. More particularly, the electrochromic medium 240 of the electrochromic mirror reflective element 216 may be colored or darkened in the area of the display by constructing a locally addressable region across the display (as shown at 220, 220 a of FIG. 7). This may be achieved by creating a deletion line in the second surface semi-conductive layer 226 at the second surface of the first or front substrate 222 (FIG. 8) and/or in the third surface semi-conductive layer 230 (or a third surface semi-conductive layer of the type shown in FIG. 9 and described below at 332), hence breaking electrical continuity from the rest of the electrochromic cell. An ambient light sensor (not shown) may be used to detect the critical ambient light levels at which “wash-out” is a problem. The addressable region may then be separately colored or darkened to the appropriate level to reduce the glare from the display area in response to the ambient light sensor. Although such a glare problem could be solved by coloring the entire mirror, by localizing the region of coloration to only the display area, the electrochromic mirror assembly of the present invention allows the rest of the mirror reflective area, which does not incorporate the display, to retain full reflectivity while the display area is colored or darkened (such as may be useful when driving by day).

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a transmissive ISI or DOD layer includes a metallic layer 234 of approximately 40 nm (400 Å) sandwiched between a semi-conductive passivation layer 236 of approximately 43 nm (430 Å) and a semi-conductive adhesion layer 232 of approximately 10 nm (100 Å). The semi-conductive adhesion layer 232 is deposited on an adhesion or semi-conductive layer 230 having a thickness of approximately 30 nm (300 Å). In this embodiment, the ISI or DOD layer 228 is spectrally tuned for spectrally selective transmission of a blue-green light (having a peak intensity wavelength of approximately 505 nm) emitting from display device 218 a.

The thickness of the first semi-conductive layer 230 may be the same for each embodiment described above (and for the particular embodiments discussed below, such as with respect to FIGS. 10-17), in order to provide a common conductive substrate (including the semi-conductive layer 230 already deposited or coated on the surface of the substrate) for the different particular applications of the substrate and ISI layers of the present invention. This may ease the manufacturing of the reflective elements, since the same hot ITO coating or the like may be applied to common substrates for various applications, and then the conductive substrates may be coated with different thickness layers of conductive and metallic coatings for different applications of the reflective element (such as for mirrors having different colored displays).

As discussed above with respect to ISI layer 128, and with reference now to FIG. 9, a second substrate 324 may have an ISI or DOD layer 328 on its inward or forward surface 324 a which may include layers 332, 334, 336 which may have a tab-out portion 331 for electrical connections, so as to not require the first conductive layer, without affecting the scope of the present invention. Because the metallic layer 334 is thin and not as conductive as the metallic layer 134, discussed above, the tab-out portion 331 of ISI layer 328 is preferably substantially larger in size or width than the tab-out portion 131 may have been for ISI layer 128. In a particular exemplary embodiment of the substrate 324 and ISI layer 328 of a reflective element as shown in FIG. 9, where the conductive layer 332 is deposited directly on the surface 324 a of substrate 324, the ISI layer 328 may include a metallic layer 334 of approximately 35 nm (350 Å) sandwiched between a passivation layer 336 of approximately 70 nm (700 Å) and an adhesion layer 332 of approximately 70 nm (700 Å). This combination or stack of layers on the glass or substrate 324 provides a transflective reflective element which is at least approximately 20 percent transmissive and which is spectrally tuned to pass a particular band of light being emitted by display device 218 a of display system 218. In this particular embodiment, the transflective reflective element is spectrally tuned to pass light having a peak intensity wavelength of approximately 605 nanometers, while substantially reflecting other light.

Other thicknesses and materials of the layers may be selected for different displays having different colors or wavelengths of emitted light, without affecting the scope of the present invention. The thicknesses and particular materials of the layers of the ISI or DOD stack and transflective reflector are selected such that their combination provides enhanced or substantial transmissivity of the spectral band or bands corresponding to the spectral band of light emitted by the particular display implemented in the reflective element, while providing substantial reflectance of other visible light.

Referring now to FIG. 10, a second substrate 424 of a reflective element may have multiple layers or a double ISI or DOD layer or stack 428 applied to inward surface 424 a. Double ISI layer 428 includes a first semi-conductive layer 430 applied to or deposited on inward surface 424 a, a second semi-conductive or adhesion layer 432 a deposited on semi-conductive layer 430, a first metallic layer 434 a deposited on semi-conductive layer 432 and another semi-conductive layer 436 a deposited on metallic layer 434 a. Double ISI layer 428 further includes a second metallic layer 434 b deposited on semi-conductive layer 436 a with another semi-conductive layer 436 b deposited on second metallic layer 434 b. Therefore, the ISI stack or layer 428 is an alternating stack or combination of dielectric or transparent semi-conductive layers and metallic layers, whereby each metallic layer is sandwiched between a respective pair of conductive or semi-conductive non-metallic layers.

Such an arrangement may be used to provide a desired amount or increased amount of spectrally selective transmission of one or more particular spectral bands of light through the ISI or DOD layers, while increasing the reflectivity or maintaining the reflectivity of the ISI or DOD layers with respect to other spectral bands of light over the single ISI or DOD stack designs discussed above. More particularly, the double stack arrangement (or more layers if desired) provides for increased transmission of a narrower spectral band of light, which allows the reflective element to transmit a high percentage (such as greater than approximately 50 percent transmissivity) of a selected narrow spectral band of light. The narrow spectral band is selected so as to be substantially pinpointed or targeted at the particular peak intensity wavelength or wavelengths of light being emitted by the display device. Such an arrangement is particularly suitable for use with display devices incorporating light emitting diodes, which may emit light within a particular, narrow spectral band. The particular thickness and material for each layer or coating may be selected depending on the particular application and desired results.

For example, in a single ISI or DOD stack design which provides approximately 20-25 percent transmissivity of a particular spectral band or range, the reflectance of the ISI layer may be approximately 60-70 percent with respect to other light. If it is desired that the mirror have approximately 70 percent photopic reflectance or higher and increased transmissivity of a desired spectral band of light, a double ISI or DOD stack may be implemented. One particular embodiment of such a double ISI stack provides a semi-conductive layer (430 and/or 432) of approximately 71 nm (such as a layer 430 of approximately 30 nm (300 Å) and a layer 432 a of approximately 41 nm (410 Å) or other combinations) of ITO or the like, a first metallic layer 434 a of approximately 41 nm (410 Å), a semi-conductive layer 436 a of approximately 101 nm (1010 Å) of ITO or the like, a second metallic layer 434 b of approximately 36 nm (360 Å) and a semi-conductive layer 436 b of approximately 10 nm (100 Å) of ITO or the like. This embodiment provides increased reflectivity of the reflective element to most wavelengths of light, while achieving the desired amount of transmissivity of the particular, targeted spectral band or bands. This is because the two metallic layers 434 a, 434 b, which are generally planar and parallel to each other, are separated by a distance of the order of approximately 100 nm (1000 Å), which gives rise to multiple beam interference of the incident light, resulting in constructive interference at certain wavelengths and destructive interference at other wavelengths. This particular example provides a reflective element which is spectrally tuned to substantially transmit light with a wavelength of approximately 602 nanometers, while substantially reflecting other visible light.

Other materials (with other refractive indices) and other physical thicknesses for the layers may be selected to transmit other desired wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths, without affecting the scope of the present invention. Also, additional repeating layers may be added to form a multiple stack, such as an additional metallic conducting layer and an additional semi-conductive ITO layer (or the like), in order to achieve the desired affect. The repeating and alternating layers form a narrow band ISI stack (which may have seven or nine or more layers of conductive layers and metallic layers), which functions to pass or transmit only such light which corresponds to one or more particular, substantially narrow spectral bands or ranges of wavelengths. The additional layers may provide enhanced performance of the reflective element with only an incremental increase in cost, since the additional layers are preferably deposited onto the other layers as part of the sputter coating process. With each additional set or stack of layers, each of the reflective, metallic layers may be reduced in thickness, which may provide increased transmissivity through the stack for a targeted spectral band, while still providing the desired amount of reflectivity over the reflective element. For example, a nine layer ISI or DOD stack (such as shown in FIG. 17 and discussed below) may provide a reflective element that has a greater than approximately 60 percent transmissivity of one or more particular, narrow spectral bands, and which is tuned or substantially pinpointed to match the emission spectrum from a particular display device (such as a display device including a light emitting diode).

Referring now to FIGS. 11-17, several particular examples of a reflective element or mirror element in accordance with the present invention are shown. The reflective elements of FIGS. 11-17 incorporate the design and functional aspects of the reflective elements discussed above, and are provided as specific examples or embodiments of the present invention. The materials and physical thicknesses of the layers are selected to provide different refractive indices and thicknesses to provide different beam interference of the incident light, thereby resulting in the desired transmissive range for a particular display element. In each embodiment of FIGS. 11-17, the various layers and substrates are given similar reference numbers as shown with respect to the reflective elements shown in FIGS. 2-10, but with each embodiment adding 100 to the reference numbers of the previous embodiment. Clearly, the scope of the present invention includes other combinations of layers that may be implemented to provide for enhanced transmissivity of one or more particular spectral bands of light, while providing substantial reflectance of other light.

With reference to FIG. 11, a reflective element 516 has a front substrate 522 and a rear substrate 524 and a display element 518 at a rear or fourth surface of rear substrate 524. A semi-conductive ITO layer (or the like) 530 of approximately 30 nm is deposited on the forward or third surface of rear substrate 524, while a semi-conductive layer 526 (such as ITO, tin oxide or the like) is deposited on the rear or second surface of front substrate 522. An ISI or DOD stack or layer 528 and an electrochromic (EC) medium 540 and seal 541 are provided between the semi-conductive layers 526, 530. ISI layer 528 comprises a substantially transparent semi-conducting non-metallic adhesion layer 532 of approximately 41 nm of ITO, ICO, IWO or the like, a metallic conducting layer 534 of approximately 35 nm of silver or silver alloy or the like, and a substantially transparent semi-conducting non-metallic passivation layer 536 of approximately 68 nm of ITO, ICO, IWO or the like. As shown in FIG. 11A, such a configuration provides a transmissivity of light through reflective element 516 with a peak transmissivity of light having a wavelength of approximately 580 nm. The transflective reflector of the reflective element 516 is thus spectrally tuned to transmit orange light, such as light emitted from an orange vacuum fluorescent display 518, which emits light having a peak intensity of approximately 580 nm, as shown in FIG. 11B. The display 518 may also include a color filter 517, such as discussed above with respect to display 218.

In another particular embodiment similar to that of FIG. 11, an automotive DOD electrochromic mirror cell may include a transparent conductive layer, such as an ITO layer or the like (having, for example, approximately 12 ohms per square resistivity, which is commercially available as an ITO coated substrate), at the innermost, second surface of the front substrate, and a three layer coating or stack deposited on a transparent conductive layer, such as an ITO layer, at the rear substrate, itself deposited on the inner facing third surface of the rear substrate in a front /rear twin substrate laminate cell construction. The ITO layer at the rear substrate layer may have, for example, approximately 80 ohms per square resistivity, and the rear substrate may be a commercially available ITO coated substrate. The three layer stack or layers may be applied to the appropriate ITO coated surface of the rear substrate, such as via sputter coating or the like. For example, the rear glass element or substrate may be placed in a coating mask fixture to mask the perimeter and may be placed in a vacuum deposition system. The transflective third surface reflector/conductor may be made on or applied to the intended surface of the rear substrate (or to the ITO layer on the “third surface”) by sequentially depositing first approximately 41 nm of ITO, second approximately 40 nm of silver metal and third approximately 65 nm of ITO onto the ITO layer at the third surface of the rear substrate.

The front and rear substrates are spaced apart using an epoxy perimeter seal (as is known and practiced in the electrochromic mirror art) with the conductive surfaces facing each other and preferably with an offset for the purpose of attaching an electrode clip or busbar. The spacing between the conductive planar surfaces is, for example, approximately 90 μm. After curing of the epoxy seal, the reflective element may be vacuum filled with an electrochromic medium, such as an electrochromic monomer material or the like. After filling the reflective element with the electrochromic monomer, the filling port of the reflective element or cell may be plugged with a UV curable adhesive which may then be cured by exposure to UV radiation. The reflective element or cell may then be cured in an oven to form a solid polymer matrix electrochromic medium.

When such an embodiment was formed and tested, a voltage of approximately 1.2 volts was applied to the reflective element and it was observed to color rapidly and uniformly. The photopic reflectance of the reflective element was initially approximately 67%, with a neutral silvery appearance, and decreased to approximately 7% in less than approximately 8 seconds with the voltage applied. The transmittance of the reflective element in its bleached state was approximately 19% for light having wavelengths between approximately 600 nm and 620 nm. When the voltage was disconnected or stopped, the reflectance of the reflective element substantially uniformly returned to its original value of approximately 67% within about 10 seconds. The DOD stack of the present invention thus may provide for enhanced transmittance of light having a preselected wavelength or range or band of wavelengths, even when in the bleached or colored or darkened state.

It is further envisioned that one or more adhesion enhancement layers or passivation layers, such as a layer or layers of nichrome (NiCr), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt) or the like, may be applied or disposed at one or both sides of the metallic or silver layer 534, in order to increase the corrosion resistance of the metallic layer and to enhance the adhesion and the mechanical stability of the metallic layer. For example, an adhesion or passivation layer may be applied or disposed between metallic layer 534 and semi-conductive layer 532, and another adhesion or passivation layer may be applied or disposed between metallic layer 534 and semi-conductive layer 536. The adhesion or passivation layer or layers may have a thickness of approximately 0.5 nm to approximately 10 nm or thereabouts. The adhesion or passivation layers may be disposed at one or both sides or surfaces of the metallic layer or layers of any of the reflective element embodiments described herein or of other types of electrochromic reflective elements, without affecting the scope of the present invention. Such adhesion or passivation layers may be applied at the metallic layer or layers of other stacks or layers of the present invention described herein.

With reference to FIG. 12, a reflective element 616 has a front substrate 622 and a rear substrate 624 and a display element 618 at a rear or fourth surface of rear substrate 624. A semi-conductive ITO layer (or the like) 630 of approximately 30 nm is deposited on the forward or third surface of rear substrate 624, while a semi-conductive layer 626 (such as ITO, tin oxide or the like) is deposited on the rear or second surface of front substrate 622. An ISI or DOD stack or layer 628 and EC medium 640 and seal 641 are provided between the semi-conductive layers 626, 630. IST layer 628 comprises an adhesion layer 632 of approximately 10 nm of ITO, ICO, IWO or the like, a metallic layer 634 of approximately 40 nm of silver or silver alloy or the like, and a passivation layer 636 of approximately 43 nm of ITO, ICO, IWO or the like. As shown in FIG. 12A, such a configuration provides a transmissivity of light through the reflective element with a peak transmissivity of light having a wavelength of approximately 500 nm. The reflective element 616 is thus spectrally tuned to transmit light emitted from a blue-green vacuum fluorescent display 618, which may emit light having a peak intensity of approximately 500 nm, as shown in FIG. 12B.

With reference to FIG. 13, a reflective element 616′ provides a substantially spectrally neutral transmission characteristic and has a front substrate 622′ and a rear substrate 624′ and a display element 618′ at a rear or fourth surface of rear substrate 624′. A semi-conductive ITO layer (or the like) 630′ of approximately 30 nm is deposited on the forward or third surface of rear substrate 624′, while a semi-conductive layer 626′ (such as ITO, tin oxide or the like) is deposited on the rear or second surface of front substrate 622′. An ISI or DOD stack or layer 628′ and EC medium 640′ and seal 641′ are provided between the semi-conductive layers 626′, 630′. ISI layer 628′ comprises an adhesion layer 632′ of approximately 78 nm of ITO, ICO, IWO or the like, a metallic layer 634′ of approximately 31 nm of silver or silver alloy or the like, and a passivation layer 636′ of approximately 63 nm of ITO, ICO, IWO or the like. As shown in FIG. 13A, such a configuration provides a generally neutral transmission of light through the transflective reflective element for most wavelengths of visible light.

With reference to FIG. 14, a reflective element 716 has a front substrate 722 and a rear substrate 724 and a display element 718 at a rear or fourth surface of rear substrate 724. A semi-conductive ITO layer (or the like) 730 of approximately 30 nm is deposited on the forward or third surface of rear substrate 724, while a semi-conductive layer 726 (such as ITO, tin oxide or the like) is deposited on the rear or second surface of front substrate 722. A double stack ISI or DOD stack or layer 728 and EC medium 740 and seal 741 are provided between the semi-conductive layers 726, 730. Double stack ISI layer 728 comprises a semi-conductive adhesion layer 732 of approximately 60 nm of ITO, ICO, IWO or the like, a first metallic layer 734 a of approximately 33 nm of silver or silver alloy or the like, a semi-conductive layer 736 a of approximately 117 nm of ITO, ICO, IWO or the like, a second metallic layer 734 b of approximately 33 nm of silver, silver alloy or the like, and a semi-conductive layer 736 b of approximately 86 nm of ITO, ICO, IWO or the like. As shown in FIG. 14A, such a configuration provides a transmissivity of light through the reflective element with a peak transmissivity of light having a wavelength of approximately 650 nm. The reflective element 716 is thus spectrally tuned to transmit red light, such as light emitted from a red light emitting diode display 718, which may emit light having a peak intensity of approximately 650 nm, as shown in FIG. 14B. As can be seen with reference to FIGS. 14A and 11A, the transflective reflector and double stack ISI or DOD layer 728 provide a narrower band of transmissivity for the desired spectral band or range of wavelengths being emitted by the display. Such a configuration thus may provide enhanced reflectivity of light outside of the targeted spectral band.

With reference to FIG. 15, a reflective element 816 has a front substrate 822 and a rear substrate 824 and a display element 818 at a rear or fourth surface of rear substrate 824. A semi-conductive ITO layer (or the like) 830 of approximately 30 nm is deposited on the forward or third surface of rear substrate 824, while a semi-conductive layer 826 (such as ITO, tin oxide or the like) is deposited on the rear or second surface of front substrate 822. A double stack ISI or DOD stack or layer 828 and EC medium 840 and seal 841 are provided between the semi-conductive layers 826, 830. Double stack ISI layer 828 comprises a semi-conductive adhesion layer 832 of approximately 23 nm of ITO, ICO, IWO or the like, a first metallic layer 834 a of approximately 30 nm of silver or silver alloy or the like, a semi-conductive layer 836 a of approximately 204 nm of ITO, ICO, IWO or the like, a second metallic layer 834 b of approximately 34 nm of silver, silver alloy or the like, and a semi-conductive layer 836 b of approximately 47 nm of ITO, ICO, IWO or the like. As shown in FIG. 15A, such a configuration provides a transmissivity of light through the reflective element with a peak transmissivity of light having a wavelength of approximately 500 nm. The reflective element 816 is thus spectrally tuned to transmit blue-green light, such as light emitted from a blue-green light emitting diode display 818, which may emit light having a peak intensity of approximately 500 nm. Similar to double stack ISI layer 728 discussed above, the transflective reflector and double stack ISI layer 828 provide a narrower band of transmissivity for the desired spectral band or range of wavelengths being emitted by the display. Such a configuration thus may provide enhanced transmissivity of the preselected or targeted spectral band and enhanced reflectivity of light outside of the targeted spectral band.

With reference to FIG. 16, a reflective element 916 has a front substrate 922 and a rear substrate 924 and a display element 918 at a rear or fourth surface of rear substrate 924. A semi-conductive ITO layer (or the like) 930 of approximately 30 nm is deposited on the forward or third surface of rear substrate 924, while a semi-conductive layer 926 (such as ITO, tin oxide or the like) is deposited on the rear or second surface of front substrate 922. A multiple stack ISI or DOD stack or layer 928, EC medium 940, seal 941 and encapsulant 943 are provided between the semi-conductive layers 926, 930. The ISI or DOD stack or layer 928 may be provided on ITO layer 930 so as to have a tab out portion as discussed above with respect to ISI layer 328, The encapsulant 943 is provided along the edges of the tab out portion of reflective element 916, and the seal 941 is provided between the tab out portion and the ITO layer 926 on front substrate 922 and between the ITO layers 924, 926 around ISI layer 928 where there is no tab out portion.

Multiple ISI or DOD stack or layer 928 comprises an adhesion layer 932 of approximately 80 nm of ITO, ICO, IWO or the like, a first metallic layer 934 a of approximately 30 nm of silver or silver alloy or the like, a layer 936 a of approximately 101 nm of silicon oxide or the like, a layer 934 b of approximately 60 nm of titanium oxide or the like, a layer 936 b of approximately 95 nm of silicon oxide or the like, a layer 934 c of approximately 161 nm of titanium oxide or the like, a layer 936 c of approximately 53 nm of silicon oxide or the like, a metallic layer 934 d of approximately 50 nm of silver or silver alloy or the like, and a layer 936 d of approximately 72 nm of ITO, ICO or the like. As shown in FIG. 16A, such a configuration provides a transmissivity of light through the reflective element with a peak transmissivity of light having a wavelength of approximately 650 nm. The reflective element 916 is thus spectrally tuned to transmit red light, such as light emitted from a red light emitting diode display 918, which may emit light having a peak intensity of approximately 650 nm. The transflective reflector and multiple stack ISI layer 928 provide an extra narrow band of transmissivity for the desired spectral band or range of wavelengths being emitted by the display. Such a configuration thus may provide enhanced reflectivity of light outside of the targeted spectral band. As can be seen in FIG. 16A, reflective element 916 may also transmit spectral bands of light at certain other wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths as well, such as at approximately 410 nm and 470 nm.

With reference to FIG. 17, a reflective element 1016 has a front substrate 1022 and a rear substrate 1024 and a display element 1018 at a rear or fourth surface of rear substrate 1024. A semi-conductive ITO layer (or the like) 1030 of approximately 30 nm is deposited on the forward or third surface of rear substrate 1024, while a semi-conductive layer 1026 (such as ITO, tin oxide or the like) is deposited on the rear or second surface of front substrate 1022. A multiple stack ISI or DOD stack or layer 1028, EC medium 1040, seal 1041 and encapsulant 1043 (around a tab out portion of the ISI layer, as discussed above) are provided between the semi-conductive layers 1026, 1030.

Multiple stack ISI or DOD layer 1028 comprises an adhesion layer 1032 of approximately 80 nm of ITO, ICO, IWO or the like, a first metallic layer 1034 a of approximately 46 nm of silver or silver alloy or the like, a layer 1034 b of approximately 80 nm of titanium oxide or the like, a layer 1036 a of approximately 85 nm of silicon oxide or the like, a layer 1034 c of approximately 188 nm of titanium oxide or the like, a layer 1036 b of approximately 48 nm of silicon oxide or the like, a metallic layer 1034 d of approximately 42 nm of silver or silver alloy or the like, and a layer 103 6 c of approximately 77 nm of ITO, ICO or the like. As shown in FIG. 17A, such a configuration provides a transmissivity of light through the reflective element with two peak transmission bands, namely, a first spectral band having a peak transmissivity of light having a wavelength of approximately 465 nm and a second spectral band having a peak transmissivity of light having a wavelength of approximately 645 nm. The reflective element 1016 is thus spectrally tuned to substantially transmit both blue light, such as light emitted from a blue light emitting diode display 1018 a, which may emit light having a peak intensity of approximately 465 nm, and red light, such as light emitted from a red light emitting diode display 1018 b, which may emit light having a peak intensity of approximately 645 nm. The transflective reflector and multiple stack ISI layer 1028 provide, an extra narrow band of transmissivity for each of the desired spectral bands or ranges of wavelengths being emitted by the displays. Such a configuration thus may facilitate the implementation of different colored display elements, while providing enhanced reflectivity of light outside of the targeted spectral bands.

Referring now to FIG. 18, an electro-optic or electrochromic mirror element 1116 comprises a pair of substrates (a front substrate 1122 is shown in FIG. 18), with an electrochromic medium (not shown in FIG. 18) sandwiched therebetween. Electrochromic mirror element 1116 may comprise a reflective metallic layer or layers and transparent, at least partially conductive layers, such as discussed above, to provide a transflective mirror element. The electrochromic mirror element 1116 includes one or more display elements, such as the three display elements 1118 a, 1118 b, 1118 c shown in FIG. 18, positioned behind the rear substrate and operable to emit or transmit light through the substrates and layers and electrochromic medium for viewing at the front substrate 1122.

The electrochromic mirror element 1116 comprises at least two regions, such as the three regions 1116 a, 1116 b, 1116 c shown in FIG. 18. A central or principle viewing region 1116 a provides a respective reflectivity and transmissivity, such as via layers or coatings as described above. One or both side regions 1116 b, 1116 c also provide a respective reflectivity and transmissivity. In the illustrated embodiment, the display element or elements 1118 a, 1118 b, 1118 c are positioned at the side or display regions 1116 b, 1116 c. The conductive metallic and semiconductive non-metallic layers may be selected and adjusted so that the transmissivity in the side regions 1116 b, 1116 c may be greater than the transmissivity in the central region 1116 a, while the reflectivity in the central region 1116 a may be greater than the reflectivity in the side or display regions 1116 b, 1116 c. The present invention thus provides greater transmissivity in the display regions to enhance viewing of the displays, while providing greater reflectivity in the central or main region of the mirror element to provide enhanced reflectivity in the principle viewing area.

In the illustrated embodiment, the transmissivity at the display regions may be approximately 25%, while the transmissivity in the central or principle viewing region may be approximately 20%. Likewise, the reflectivity in the central or principle viewing region may be approximately 65%, while the reflectivity in the display regions may be approximately 60%. Other reflective and transmissive characteristics may be achieved without affecting the scope of the present invention.

The difference in the reflectivity and transmissivity between the regions is achieved by selecting different combinations of vapor source and masking of the regions to achieve the desired effect. For example, the thicknesses of different layers of the conductive metallic layer or layers and of the transparent, at least partially conductive layers may be selected or adjusted across the mirror element to achieve a desired amount of transmissivity at the display regions, while maintaining sufficient reflectivity in these regions, and to achieve a desired or optimum or maximum reflectivity at the central or principle viewing area or region of the mirror element. For example, a reflective metallic coating or layer may be thicker at the principle viewing region than at the display region or regions, while a transparent layer or coating may be thinner at the principle viewing region than at the display region or regions. Although shown as having display regions at the side regions of the mirror element, clearly displays and associated display regions providing enhanced transmissivity may be positioned elsewhere around the mirror element, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

Therefore, the reflective element or mirror element of the present invention allows for a display element to be positioned behind the reflective layer and transmits light from the display element through the mirror element, while providing sufficient reflectivity across the entire mirror element and not requiring any windows or thinned areas of reduced reflectivity in the display region. The present invention thus provides a mirror assembly which may include multiple display-on-demand type displays or display-on-need type displays, without adversely affecting the reflective nature of the reflective element. Furthermore, the transmissivity of the ISI or DOD stack or layer or the multiple stack ISI or DOD layers of the transflective reflector of the present invention may match or pinpoint the particular spectral band corresponding to the light emitted by the display element or device, in order to provide improved transmission of the display information or light through the stack (and thus through the reflective element), while providing a desired neutral reflectance over the entire surface of the reflector. The present invention thus may provide a reflective element which has a transmissivity level of greater than at least approximately 20 percent, more preferably at least approximately 30 percent, and most preferably at least approximately 50 percent, for light within a particular narrow spectral band or range of wavelengths, while providing substantial reflectance of light outside of the particular, selected spectral band or range of wavelengths. The reflective element of the present invention also provides for generally uniform thickness of the ISI or DOD layers, since none of the layers have to be etched or masked or reduced in thicknesses to allow for the display to transmit therethrough, thereby enhancing the manufacturing processing of the reflective element.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may include an illumination source for providing illumination, such as near infrared and/or infrared illumination, within the cabin of the vehicle. For example, the illumination source may be directed toward the head of the driver of the vehicle (or the area or location where a typical driver's head would be), and may be used in conjunction with a camera device or imaging device or the like. The imaging device or imaging system may comprise a cabin monitoring system, such as a monitoring system utilizing the principles disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,523,964; and 6,302,545, and U.S. patent applications, Ser. No. 10/372,873, filed Feb. 24, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,617; Ser. No. 09/793,002, entitled VIDEO MIRROR SYSTEMS INCORPORATING AN ACCESSORY MODULE, filed Feb. 26, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,690,268; and Ser. No. 10/054,633, filed Jan. 22, 2002 by Lynam et al. for VEHICULAR LIGHTING SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,381, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Optionally, the illumination source may be operable to illuminate the head of the driver while the imaging device is operable to capture images of the driver's head, such as for a video conferencing function, a driver alertness detection function (which may detect drowsiness issues, such as unorthodox head movement, nodding, glazed eyes, dilating eyes or other characteristics which may be indicative of driver fatigue or reduced alertness), a seat occupancy detection function, an intrusion detection function or any other desired functions. The illumination source or sources may comprise infrared or near infrared emitting sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) or the like, to minimize the affect on or visibility to the driver of the vehicle, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,523,964; and 6,302,545, and U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/372,873, filed Feb. 24, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,617, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. The imaging device thus may be capable of sensing infrared light, and may be particularly sensitive to infrared or near infrared light, and may comprise a CMOS imaging array or the like, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677; 5,670,935; 5,760,962; 5,796,094 and 5,877,897, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

The interior rearview mirror assembly may provide the illumination source or sources at the bezel or chin or eyebrow of the mirror assembly, or at a module or pod or the like associated with the mirror assembly. Optionally, the mirror assembly may include the illumination source or sources within the mirror casing and behind the electrochromic cell of the mirror assembly, whereby the illumination source may emit near infrared light or radiant energy and project the light through a transflective electrochromic element, which may have sufficient transmissivity in the near infrared range of the spectrum, while limiting transmissivity of light in the visible range and providing a desired amount of untinted photopic reflectance, as discussed below. The illumination source thus may be positioned behind the rear substrate of the electrochromic cell and may project the near infrared illumination through both substrates of the reflective element or cell to sufficiently illuminate or bathe or flood the targeted area with near infrared illumination. The imaging device may also be positioned within the mirror casing and behind the transflective electrochromic element to capture images of the scene illuminated by the near infrared illumination source or sources.

The transflective display on demand type reflective element preferably maintains an untinted, high photopic reflectance of visible light, while also providing sufficient transmissivity of near infrared light or radiant energy (such as within the range of approximately 750 nm to approximately 1100 nm). Preferably, the transflective display on demand element provides at least approximately 30% transmissivity of near infrared light, preferably at least approximately 40%, more preferably at least approximately 60% and most preferably at least approximately 80% transmissivity of near infrared light. Typically, such near infrared transmissivity may not be achieved utilizing reflective coatings or stacks of coatings that comprise or include a metallic layer, such as a thin silver or silver alloy or aluminum or aluminum alloy layer or the like. In such applications, the infrared or near infrared light emitted by the illumination source may reflect back into the cavity of the mirror casing. The present invention overcomes this by providing an infrared or near infrared transmitting stack of dielectric layers or coatings which substantially transmit near infrared light while the transflective element also provides high photopic reflectance of visible light. The transflective element may provide high photopic reflectance and may meet the specifications set forth in SAE J964A, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. Preferably, the transflective element provides greater than approximately 55%, more preferably greater than approximately 65% and most preferably greater than approximately 75%, of such photopic reflectance.

Referring now to FIGS. 19-22, a transflective electrochromic element or cell 1216 includes a front substrate 1222 and a rear substrate 1224, and an illumination source 1244 and an imaging device 1246 at a rear or fourth surface of rear substrate 1224. A semi-conductive layer or coating (such as ITO, tin oxide or the like) 1230 is deposited on the forward or third surface of rear substrate 1224, while a semi-conductive layer 1226 (such as ITO, tin oxide or the like) is deposited on the rear or second surface of front substrate 1222. An electrochromic medium 1240 and seal 1241 are-provided or sandwiched between the semi-conductive layers 1226, 1230, with an electrical connector 1 248 positioned at least partially along at least one edge of each of the semi-conductive layers 1226, 1230. The transflective cell 1216 further includes an infrared or near infrared transmitting (IRT) stack or layers 1228, which, in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 19, is positioned or stacked on the rear surface of the rear substrate 1224. A protective cover or glass sheet 1225 is adhered or secured to the rear surface of the IRT stack 1228, such as via an adhesive layer 1225 a, which preferably is an index matching adhesive that matches the index of the protective cover or sheet. The protective cover may comprise glass, or may comprise other transparent or substantially clear materials, such as plastic, polycarbonate, acrylic or the like, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

IRT stack 1228 comprises multiple layers of dielectric layers or coatings across the rear surface of rear substrate 1224 which function as a cold mirror stack that allows near infrared and infrared light or radiant energy to pass therethrough while substantially reflecting visible light. The IRT stack 1228 may comprise layers of titanium oxide alternating with silicon oxide layers. The titanium oxide layers provide a higher refractive index while the silicon oxide layers provide a lower refractive index. The alternating combination of the lower and higher refracting indices of alternating layers provides enhanced near infrared transmissivity, while providing reflectivity of visible light.

In an exemplary embodiment, IRT stack 1228 comprises nineteen such alternating layers having: a first titanium oxide layer approximately 72 nm thick on the rear surface of substrate 1224, a first silicon oxide layer approximately 32 nm thick on the first titanium oxide layer, a second titanium oxide layer approximately 94 nm thick on the first silicon oxide layer, a second silicon oxide layer approximately 110 nm thick on the second titanium oxide layer, a third titanium oxide layer approximately 64 nm thick on the second silicon oxide layer, a third silicon oxide layer approximately 85 nm thick on the third titanium oxide layer, a fourth titanium oxide layer approximately 62 nm thick on the third silicon oxide layer, a fourth silicon oxide layer approximately 128 nm thick on the fourth titanium oxide layer, a fifth titanium oxide layer approximately 60 nm thick on the fourth silicon oxide layer, a fifth silicon oxide layer approximately 98 nm thick on the fifth titanium oxide layer, a sixth titanium oxide layer approximately 57 nm thick on the fifth silicon oxide layer, a sixth silicon oxide layer approximately 94 nm thick on the sixth titanium oxide layer, a seventh titanium oxide layer approximately 54 nm thick on the sixth silicon oxide layer, a seventh silicon oxide layer approximately 77 nm thick on the seventh titanium oxide layer, an eighth titanium oxide layer approximately 36 nm thick on the seventh silicon oxide layer, an eighth silicon oxide layer approximately 83 nm thick on the eighth titanium oxide layer, a ninth titanium oxide layer approximately 58 nm thick on the eighth silicon oxide layer, a ninth silicon oxide layer approximately 97 nm thick on the ninth titanium oxide layer, and a tenth titanium oxide layer approximately 28 nm thick on the ninth silicon oxide layer. Clearly, other thicknesses and combinations of layers may be implemented to achieve the desired levels of transmissivity and reflectivity, without affecting the scope of the present invention. The transflective element thus provides a fourth surface transflective mirror element, with multiple alternating layers of silicon oxide and titanium oxide to enhance the near infrared transmissivity through the ITO layers and substrates.

The transmissivity percentage of such a substrate versus the light wavelength is shown in FIG. 22. As can be seen in FIG. 22, the substrate 1224 and IRT stack 1228 transmit more than 90% of near infrared light, while substantially not transmitting light in the visible range of the spectrum. The transflective element 1216 is thus spectrally tuned to transmit near infrared light emitted from illumination source 1244, and may transmit the near infrared light from the scene back to the imaging sensor 1246. As can be seen in FIG. 22, the transmission is generally constant or flat for the desired wavelengths at an angle of incidence of the light source relative to the substrate between approximately 0 degrees and approximately 50 degrees.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 19 may allow the mirror manufacturer to purchase the rear substrate sheet or material, which may be purchased from a glass or substrate supplier or vendor with the front ITO layer or coating and the cold mirror stack or IRT stack already applied thereto or deposited thereon. The ITO layers and alternating silicon oxide and titanium oxide layers may be deposited on the respective surfaces or layers via any known manner, such as vacuum deposition or the like, and such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,668,663; 5,724,187; and 6,002,511, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. This allows the mirror manufacturer to select an appropriate rear substrate, depending on the desired function or application of the mirror assembly, and to assemble the transflective element with the selected substrate. The mirror manufacturer may purchase the substrates, cut out the desired shape for the mirror reflective element and glue or adhere or otherwise join the substrates (with coatings thereon) together (and sandwich the electrochromic medium between the front and rear substrate) to form the desired transflective element.

Prior to deposition, it is desirable/beneficial to clean the substrate using a plasma source or an ion source, such as a linear ion source or the like, which may result in enhanced adhesion of the thin films to the substrate. It is preferable that the substrate cleaning is accomplished in one single pump down cycle of the vacuum coating process. For example, glass substrates can enter a vacuum chamber via a load-lock, and pass under a plasma source, such as a linear ion source or the like, where the surface to-be-coated is activated/cleaned by exposure to a plasma and/or by ion bombardment or the like. The now plasma activated/ion-bombardment cleaned surface is then coated with an ITO layer, followed by a metallic layer (such as silver), followed by an ITO layer such as described herein. Optionally, and preferably, a three-sided target assembly is used, for example, one side may be a linear ion source, another side may be an ITO target, and the third side may be a silver target. The three-sided target assembly can, for example, rotate (such as clockwise) to first ion clean the substrate, then rotate clockwise again to deposit ITO, then rotate clockwise again to deposit silver, and then rotate counterclockwise to deposit ITO again. Suitable ion sources for such a cleaning purpose include Anode Layer Sources (ALS), Kaufmann sources, gridded sources, non-gridded sources, RF sources and DC glow discharge sources and the like. The most preferred are the linear ion sources of the ALS type, such as are available from Veeco Instruments, Inc. of Colorado and Advanced Energy (AE) of Colorado.

Optionally, and desirably, the substrates 1222, 1224 may have a low absorption characteristic in the near infrared range or band of the energy spectrum, whereby the substrates provide low absorption of near infrared radiant energy, such as at wavelengths of around 880 nm or thereabouts. The substrates thus may provide enhanced transmissivity of such near infrared radiant energy through the transflective electrochromic element or cell. Such low absorption characteristics may be accomplished by selecting a material for the substrates that provides the desired results. For example, the substrates may comprise a borosilicate material, such as the type that is commercially available from Schott Glass Corp. under the name BOROFLOAT™, or may comprise a B270 material or SUPER WHITE™, also commercially available from Schott Glass Corp., or may comprise other materials, such as fused silica or quartz materials or the like, that may also or otherwise provide the desired degree of low absorption of near infrared radiant energy. Other materials may be selected for the substrates of the transflective electrochromic cell, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 20, a transflective element 1216′ may provide the IRT stack 1228′ on a front surface of the protective cover or glass substrate or sheet 1225. In such an embodiment, the IRT stack 1228′ and cover 1225 are adhered or secured to the rear surface of rear substrate 1224′ via the index matching adhesive 1225 a or the like. The arrangement shown in FIG. 20 allows the IRT stack to be manufactured on a separate glass sheet or protective cover, whereby the mirror manufacturer, may purchase the front and rear substrates or sheets (with the ITO layers already applied thereto or deposited thereon) and the third glass sheet or protective cover with the IRT stack already deposited thereon. The protective cover may comprise glass, or may comprise other transparent or substantially clear materials, such as plastic, polycarbonate, acrylic or the like, without affecting the scope of the present invention. The IRT stack and other components of transflective element 1216′ may be substantially similar to the IRT stack and components of transflective element 1216 discussed above, such that a detailed discussion of these elements will not be repeated herein.

Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 21, a transflective element 1216″ may be substantially similar to transflective element 1216 of FIG. 19, discussed above, and may include a titanium oxide layer or coating 1227 on the rear surface of the front substrate 1222′ and between the front substrate 1222′ and the ITO layer or coating 1226′. The titanium oxide layer 1227 may function to partially cancel out or compensate for any near infrared reflectivity by the ITO layers of the cell or element to further enhance the performance of the transflective element.

Referring now to FIG. 23, a transflective electrochromic element or cell 1316 includes a front substrate 1322 and a rear substrate 1324, and an illumination source 1344 and an imaging device 1346 at a rear or fourth surface of rear substrate 1324. A semi-conductive layer or coating 1326 (such as ITO, tin oxide or the like) is deposited on the rear or second surface of front substrate 1322. An IRT stack 1328 is applied to or deposited on the front surface of rear substrate 1324, and a semi-conductive layer or coating 1330 (such as ITO, tin oxide or the like) is deposited on IRT stack 1328. An electrochromic medium 1340 and seal 1341 are provided or sandwiched between the semi-conductive layers 1326, 1330, with an electrical connector 1348 positioned at least partially along at least one edge of each of the semi-conductive layers 1326, 1330.

Similar to IRT stack 1228 discussed above, IRT stack 1328 comprises multiple layers of dielectric layers or coatings. IRT stack or cold mirror stack 1328 is deposited on the front surface of rear substrate 1324 and may comprise alternating layers of titanium oxide alternating with silicon oxide layers. The titanium oxide layers provide a higher refractive index while the silicon oxides provide a lower refractive index. The combination of the lower and higher refractive indices of the alternating layers provides enhanced near infrared transmissivity, while providing reflectivity of visible light.

In an exemplary embodiment, IRT stack 1328 comprises nineteen such alternating layers with a twentieth layer of ITO deposited on the outermost IRT stack layer. For example, the IRT stack may comprise a first titanium oxide layer approximately 53 nm thick on the rear surface of substrate 1324, a first silicon oxide layer approximately 57 nm thick on the first titanium oxide layer, a second titanium oxide layer approximately 84 nm thick on the first silicon oxide layer, a second silicon oxide layer approximately 103 nm thick on the second titanium oxide layer, a third titanium oxide layer approximately 58 nm thick on the second silicon oxide layer, a third silicon oxide layer approximately 96 nm thick on the third titanium oxide layer, a fourth titanium oxide layer approximately 64 nm thick on the third silicon oxide layer, a fourth silicon oxide layer approximately 108 nm thick on the fourth titanium oxide layer, a fifth titanium oxide layer approximately 63 nm thick on the fourth silicon oxide layer, a fifth silicon oxide layer approximately 93 nm thick on the fifth titanium oxide layer, a sixth titanium oxide layer approximately 44 nm thick on the fifth silicon oxide layer, a sixth silicon oxide layer approximately 70 nm thick on the sixth titanium oxide layer, a seventh titanium oxide layer approximately 37 nm thick on the sixth silicon oxide layer, a seventh silicon oxide layer approximately 61 nm thick on the seventh titanium oxide layer, an eighth titanium oxide layer approximately 58 nm thick on the seventh silicon oxide layer, an eighth silicon oxide layer approximately 102 nm thick on the eighth titanium oxide layer, a ninth titanium oxide layer approximately 31 nm thick on the eighth silicon oxide layer, a ninth silicon oxide layer approximately 55 nm thick on the ninth titanium oxide layer, and a tenth titanium oxide layer approximately 49 nm thick on the ninth silicon oxide layer. The semi-conductive layer 1330 may comprise an ITO layer approximately 130 nm thick. Clearly, other thicknesses and combinations of layers may be implemented to achieve the desired levels of transmissivity and reflectivity, without affecting the scope of the present invention. The transflective element thus provides a third surface transflective mirror element, with multiple layers of silicon oxide and titanium oxide to enhance the near infrared transmissivity through the ITO layers and substrates.

The transmissivity percentage of such a substrate versus the light wavelength is shown in FIG. 26. As can be seen in FIG. 26, such a rear substrate transmits more than approximately 90% of near infrared light, while substantially not transmitting light in the visible range of the spectrum. The transflective element 1316 is thus spectrally tuned to transmit near infrared light emitted from illumination source 1344, and may transmit the near infrared light from the scene back to the imaging sensor 1346. As can be seen in FIG. 26, the transmission is generally constant or flat for the desired wavelengths at an angle of incidence of the light source relative to the substrate between approximately 0 degrees and approximately 50 degrees.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 23 may allow the mirror manufacturer to purchase the rear substrate sheet or material, which may be purchased from a glass or substrate supplier or vendor with the IRT or cold mirror stack and the front ITO layer or coating already applied thereto or deposited thereon. The ITO layers and silicon oxide and titanium oxide layers may be deposited on the front surface or other layers via any known manner, such as vacuum deposition or the like, and such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,668,663; 5,724,187; and 6,002,511, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. This allows the mirror manufacturer to select an appropriate rear substrate, depending on the desired function or application of the mirror assembly, and to assemble the transflective element with the selected substrate. The mirror manufacturer may purchase the substrates, cut out the desired shape for the mirror reflective element and glue, adhere or otherwise join the substrates (with coatings thereon) together (and sandwich the electrochromic medium between the front and rear substrate) to form the desired transflective element.

Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 24, a transflective element 1316′ in accordance with the present invention may be substantially similar to transflective element 1316 discussed above, and may include a titanium oxide layer or coating 1327 on the rear surface of the front substrate 1322′ and between the front substrate 1322′ and the ITO layer or coating 1326′. In an exemplary embodiment, the titanium oxide layer 1327 may be approximately 250 nm thick, while the ITO layer 1326′ may be approximately 130 nm thick, but other thicknesses may be implemented to achieve the desired result, without affecting the scope of the present invention. The titanium oxide layer 1327 may function to partially cancel out or compensate for any near infrared reflectivity by the ITO layers of the cell or element. This arrangement provides an enhanced semi-conductive layer or coating on the rear surface of the front substrate. A graphical depiction of the transmissivity of front substrate 1322′ versus wavelength of light is shown in FIG. 27. In the illustrated embodiment, the peak transmissivity wavelength is approximately 880 nm. Such a reflective element or cell thus may be particularly suited for use with an imaging device or camera that has a peak sensitivity or response to light having a wavelength of approximately 880 nm.

Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 25, another transflective element 1316″ in accordance with the present invention may be substantially similar to transflective element 1316 of FIG. 23, discussed above, and may include an enhanced semi-conductive layer on the rear surface of the front substrate 1322″. The enhanced semi-conductive layer includes a titanium oxide layer or coating 1329 deposited on the rear surface of the front substrate 1322″, a silicon oxide layer 1327′ deposited on titanium oxide layer 1329, and an ITO layer 1326″ deposited on silicon oxide layer 1327′. In an exemplary embodiment, the titanium oxide layer 1329 may be approximately 109 nm thick, while the silicon oxide layer 1327′ may be approximately 277 nm thick and the ITO layer 1326′ may be approximately 130 nm thick. Other thicknesses may be implemented to achieve the desired result, without affecting the scope of the present invention. The titanium oxide layer 1329 and silicon oxide layer 1227′ may function to partially cancel out or compensate for any near infrared reflectivity by the ITO layers of the cell or element to enhance the near infrared transmissivity of the front substrate and semi-conductive layers. A graphical depiction of the transmissivity of front substrate 1322″ versus wavelengths of light is shown in FIG. 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the peak transmissivity wavelength is approximately 880 nm. Such a reflective element or cell thus may be particularly suited for use with an imaging device or camera that has a peak sensitivity or response to light having a wavelength of approximately 880 nm.

Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 29, a transflective element 1316′″ may include the substrates 1322″, 1324′ and coatings or layers such as described above with respect to transflective element 1316″ (FIG. 25), and may further include an anti-reflective (AR) stack or layers 1352 at the rear surface of the rear substrate 1324′. The anti-reflective stack or layers 1352 may be selected to minimize the reflectance of light at a desired or targeted wavelength or range of wavelengths or spectral band to enhance the overall transmissivity at the desired or targeted spectral band. For example, the anti-reflective stack 1352 may be selected to minimize the reflectance of near infrared radiant energy, such as radiant energy having a wavelength of approximately 880 nm or thereabouts, such that the transmission of such radiant energy may be enhanced. In an exemplary embodiment, anti-reflective stack or layers 1352 comprises a layer of titanium oxide 1352 a deposited on or disposed at the rear surface of the rear substrate 1324 and a layer of silicon oxide 1352 b deposited on or disposed at the titanium oxide layer 1352 a. In one embodiment, titanium oxide layer 1352 a may have a thickness of approximately 25 nm, while silicon oxide layer 1352 b may have a thickness of approximately 205 nm, such that the anti-reflective stack or layers 1352 reduces the reflectance of near infrared radiant energy having a wavelength of approximately 880 nm or thereabouts. Other layers or thicknesses may be selected to achieve other desired results, and may be selected depending on the particular reflective element design and the particular application of the reflective element, without affecting the scope of the present invention. Such anti-reflective surfaces may be applied to or disposed on the rearward surface of other mirror elements of the present invention described herein.

Therefore, the present invention provides a transflective electrochromic element or cell which may allow transmittance of near infrared light through the substrates while providing a desired amount of untinted photopic reflectance, and while also providing the desired degree of conductivity at the conductive or semi-conductive layers. The transflective element may include multiple dielectric layers or coatings on one of the substrates or on a rear cover or glass sheet of the transflective element. The dielectric layers cooperate to enhance transmissivity of infrared or near infrared light through the substrates, while providing the desired level of untinted photopic reflectance. The transflective element thus may allow the mirror assembly to include a near infrared light emitting diode or other near infrared emitting light source to be positioned behind the transflective element and within the mirror casing, whereby the light source may emit or project near infrared light through the transflective element toward and into the cabin of the vehicle. The mirror assembly may also include an imaging device which may be positioned behind the transflective element and may receive or capture images of the interior cabin of the vehicle which is covered by the near infrared light of the light source.

Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 30, it is envisioned that a transflective element 1416 in accordance with the present invention may provide high transmissivity of near infrared radiant energy, while also providing high transmissivity of a particular wavelength or range of wavelengths or spectral band or region of visible light, yet still providing high photopic reflectance of the other visible light and sufficient conductivity. Transflective element 1416 may be substantially similar to the transflective elements 1316, 1316′, 1316″, discussed above, but may include an infrared transmitting and display on demand stack 1428 (IRT-DOD stack) of alternating titanium oxide layers (or the like) and silicon oxide layers (or the like) that may provide for high transmissivity of near infrared radiant energy and high transmissivity of a desired visible light color, such as, for example, visible light having a wavelength of approximately 430 nm (blue). Different combinations of alternating layers may be selected to provide sufficient transmissivity of near infrared radiant energy and of other desired spectral bands, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

The titanium oxide layers provide a higher refractive index while the silicon oxides provide a lower refractive index. The combination of the lower and higher refractive indices of the alternating layers provides enhanced near infrared transmissivity, while providing high photopic reflectivity of most of the visible light, except the visible light in the desired spectral region or having the desired or selected or targeted wavelength. The transflective element thus may be used with a near infrared light emitting source 1444, which may be used in conjunction with an imaging source or camera 1446, and a display on demand element 1450 that may emit light at the desired or selected wavelength or color (such as, for example, blue light having a wavelength of 430 nm) so that it is viewable through the reflective element by a driver or occupant of the vehicle.

The other elements of the transflective element 1416 may be substantially similar to the transflective elements 1316, 1316′, 1316″, discussed above, such that a detailed discussion of these elements will not be repeated herein. The similar or common elements are shown in FIG. 30 with similar reference numbers to those of FIG. 24, but with one hundred added to each number. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 29, the transflective element 1416 is shown with a titanium oxide (TiO₂) layer or coating 1427 on the rear surface of the front substrate 1422 and between the front substrate 1422 and the ITO layer or coating 1426, similar to transflective element 1316′ of FIG. 24. However, other coatings or layers may be deposited on or applied to the front substrate of the transflective element, such as, for example, the other layers discussed above, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

In an exemplary embodiment of the infrared transmitting and visible light transmitting transflective element 1416, the IRT-DOD stack 1428 comprises nineteen such alternating layers with a twentieth layer of ITO 1430 deposited on the outermost IRT-DOD stack or layers. For example, the IRT-DOD stack may comprise a first titanium oxide layer approximately 50 nm thick on the surface of the substrate, a first silicon oxide layer approximately 83 nm thick on the first titanium oxide layer, a second titanium oxide layer approximately 48 nm thick on the first silicon oxide layer, a second silicon oxide layer approximately 159 nm thick on the second titanium oxide layer, a third titanium oxide layer approximately 50 nm thick on the second silicon oxide layer, a third silicon oxide layer approximately 97 nm thick on the third titanium oxide layer, a fourth titanium oxide layer approximately 61 nm thick on the third silicon oxide layer, a fourth silicon oxide layer approximately 104 nm thick on the fourth titanium oxide layer, a fifth titanium oxide layer approximately 59 nm thick on the fourth silicon oxide layer, a fifth silicon oxide layer approximately 84 nm thick on the fifth titanium oxide layer, a sixth titanium oxide layer approximately 35 nm thick on the fifth silicon oxide layer, a sixth silicon oxide layer approximately 65 nm thick on the sixth titanium oxide layer, a seventh titanium oxide layer approximately 46 nm thick on the sixth silicon oxide layer, a seventh silicon oxide layer approximately 76 nm thick on the seventh titanium oxide layer, an eighth titanium oxide layer approximately 48 nm thick on the seventh silicon oxide layer, an eighth silicon oxide layer approximately 175 nm thick on the eighth titanium oxide layer, a ninth titanium oxide layer approximately 19 nm thick on the eighth silicon oxide layer, a ninth silicon oxide layer approximately 61 nm thick on the ninth titanium oxide layer, and a tenth titanium oxide layer approximately 37 nm thick on the ninth silicon oxide layer. The semi-conductive layer 1430 may comprise an ITO layer or the like of approximately 130 nm thick. Clearly, other thicknesses and combinations of layers may be implemented to achieve the desired levels of transmissivity and reflectivity, such as high transmissivity of other colors or spectral regions of the spectrum, without affecting the scope of the present invention. The transflective element thus provides a third surface transflective mirror element, with multiple layers of silicon oxide and titanium oxide to enhance the near infrared transmissivity and particular visible light wavelength or wavelengths through the ITO layers and substrates.

The transmissivity percentage of such a substrate versus the light wavelength is shown in FIG. 31. As can be seen in FIG. 31, such a substrate transmits more than approximately 90% of near infrared light, while substantially reflecting or not transmitting light in the visible range of the spectrum, except for light having a wavelength of approximately 430 nm, which is also highly transmitted (such as at greater than approximately 90% transmissivity) by the substrate and alternating layers of the IRT-DOD stack. The transflective element is thus spectrally tuned to transmit near infrared light that may be emitted from an illumination source 1444, and may transmit the near infrared light from the scene back to an imaging sensor 1446. The transflective element may also transmit light having a desired or targeted wavelength to allow for a colored display element or illumination source or indicator 1450 to be viewed through the transflective element.

Although shown and described as being implemented on a third surface of an electrochromic mirror element, it is envisioned that the layers or stacks of the present invention may be implemented at a fourth surface of the electrochromic reflective element, such as for a fourth surface reflective element, without affecting the scope of the present invention. In such an application, a radiant energy emitting device or element and/or an imaging sensor may be positioned rearward of the stack or layers for emitting or receiving radiant energy through the reflective element. Also, a protective layer or cover may be provided over the rearwardmost layer of the alternating layers and over or around the display element or sensor to protect the layers at the rear of the reflective element.

Also, although shown and described as being implemented in an electrochromic reflective element or cell, the alternating layers or stacks of the present invention may be implemented at a rear surface (second surface) of a prismatic reflective element, without affecting the scope of the present invention. For example, and with reference to FIG. 32, a prismatic reflective element 1516 may comprise a prismatic or wedge-shaped substrate 1522 having a forward or outwardly facing surface 1522 a and a rearward surface 1522 b opposite the forward surface 1522 a. Prismatic reflective element 1522 includes alternating layers or a stack 1528 disposed at rear surface 1522 b of prismatic substrate 1522. As shown in FIG. 32, a protective layer or coating 1525 may be applied over the stack 1528. The layers of stack 1528 may comprise alternating layers of metallic and non-metallic layers or coatings, such as layers or stacks similar to the ISI stacks or DOD stacks or IRT stacks or IRT-DOD stacks of the present invention, as discussed above, depending on the particular application of the prismatic reflective element. The particular materials and thicknesses of the layers may be selected to provide the desired transmissivity of a particular selected spectral band or bands of radiant energy through the prismatic reflective element, while providing sufficient reflectivity of other spectral bands of radiant energy.

Prismatic reflective element 1516 may include a display element or radiant energy emitting device or illumination source 1544 positioned at a rear surface of the rearward most layer of stack 1528 and operable to emit radiant energy, such as visible light, near infrared radiant energy or infrared radiant energy through stack 1528 and prismatic substrate 1522. The thicknesses and materials of the layers of stack 1528 may be selected to provide enhanced transmissivity of radiant energy or light within a particular spectral band through stack 1528 and prismatic substrate 1522, while providing sufficient reflectivity of light having wavelengths outside of the selected particular spectral band. The particular spectral band may be selected to match the spectral band of light or radiant energy emitted by radiant energy emitting device 1544, such as in the manners discussed above. Optionally, the prismatic reflective element may include an imaging sensor or the like, such as discussed above with respect to electrochromic reflective element 1316 or 1416, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

The radiant energy emitting element or display element thus may be viewable through the prismatic substrate without requiring windows or the like formed in the reflective layer at the rear of the prismatic substrate. The layers or stacks of the present invention thus may provide an improved display on demand or display on need type of display element for a prismatic reflective element. Although shown as a prismatic or wedge-shaped substrate, the substrate may comprise a substantially flat substrate or may comprise a curved substrate having one or more curved surfaces, without affecting the scope of the present invention.

Although described as being implemented with interior rearview mirror assemblies, it is further envisioned that the layers or stacks of the present invention may be implemented with reflective elements for exterior rearview mirror assemblies, such as exterior electrochromic rearview mirror assemblies or other exterior rearview mirror assemblies, such as exterior rearview mirror assemblies having a single flat substrate or having a curved outer surface or substrate or the like, without affecting the scope of the present invention. For example, an exterior reflective element may have a stack of alternating layers (such as the types discussed above) that may have enhanced transmissivity of visible light that has a spectral band that matches a color output of a turn signal indicator or other indicator or light emitting device positioned behind the reflective element, such as within the casing of the exterior rearview mirror assembly. The indicator may thus be viewable through the reflective element when the indicator is activated, while the reflective element substantially reflects other light over its entire viewing surface. The exterior rearview mirror assembly of the present invention thus may provide an indicator for viewing through the reflective element without requiring a window to be formed in the reflective layer or surface of the exterior reflective element. The present invention thus may provide a display on demand or display on need type of display to an exterior rearview mirror assembly. Optionally, the alternating layers may comprise an IRT stack or IRT-DOD stack, such as described above, and the exterior rearview mirror assembly may include an infrared or near infrared emitting element, and may include an imaging sensor or device or camera, such as for a side or rearward imaging system of the vehicle (such as for a viewing system such as the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677; 5,670,935 and 6,201,642, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference, or such as for a lane change assist system or side objection detection system or the like, such as the types disclosed in U.S. patent applications, Ser. No. 10/209,173, filed Jul. 31, 2002 by Schofield for AUTOMOTIVE LANE CHANGE AID, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,882,287; Ser. No. 10/427,051, filed Apr. 30, 2003 by Pawlicki et al. for OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLE, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,038,577, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference). The near infrared emitting element or elements may be positioned within the exterior rearview mirror assembly and behind the reflective element and may provide illumination at the side of the vehicle without distracting or adversely affecting the view or vision of drivers of other vehicles at the side of the subject vehicle.

The present invention thus provides mirror reflective elements that provide substantial visible reflectivity, and that may provide substantial transmissivity of near infrared light, and that may also or otherwise provide substantial transmissivity of visible light within a selected spectral band or region or range of wavelengths. The mirror reflective elements of the present invention thus may be spectrally tuned for the desired application, while still providing the desired degree of photopic reflectivity and the desired conductivity on the conductive or semi-conductive layers, such that the electrochromic medium of the mirror cell colors or darkens in a desired manner.

The electrical connectors for the transflective electrochromic cells or elements of the present invention may comprise clip connectors, electrical busbars or the like, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,066,112 and 6,449,082, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Although shown as having the substrates and connectors offset, clearly the transflective element may comprise a flush element, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,112, or such as described in U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 60/490,111, filed Jul. 25, 2003 by McCabe et al. for FLUSH ELECTROCHROMIC CELL; and Ser. No. 60/423,903, filed Nov. 5, 2002 by McCabe for ONE SIDED FLUSH ELECTROCHROMIC CELL, which are all hereby incorporated herein by reference. Such a flush transflective element may facilitate a no-bezel or bezelless or low bezel mirror casing or assembly, with minimal or no offset between the substrates of the mirror assembly.

As discussed above, the mirror assembly of the present invention may include a display for providing information for viewing by the driver of the vehicle on the reflective element so that the driver can easily see the display. In order to maintain easy viewing of the display, it is desirable to adjust the display intensity in response to ambient light levels (in order to avoid washout during daytime driving conditions and glare during nighttime driving conditions) and in response to the degree of transmissivity of the electrochromic reflective element. For example, in low lighting conditions, such as during the nighttime, the intensity of the display may be dimmed to avoid glare, while in higher lighting conditions, such as during the daytime, the intensity of the display may be increased to provide sufficient visibility of the display to the driver of the vehicle.: The mirror assembly may include light sensors for sensing the ambient light in the cabin of the vehicle or at the mirror assembly and may include a control which is operable to automatically adjust the display intensity and/or the transmissivity of the electrochromic medium in response to the ambient light sensors.

Further, automatic dinning circuitry used in electrochromic mirror assemblies utilizing the reflective elements of the current invention may utilize one or more (typically two) photo sensors to detect glaring and/or ambient lighting. For example, a silicon photo sensor such as a TSL235R Light-to-Frequency converter (available from Texas Advanced Optoelectronic Solutions Inc. of Plano, Tex.) can be used as such photo sensors. Such light-to-frequency converters comprise the combination of a silicon photodiode and a current-to-frequency converter on a single monolithic CMOS integrated circuit.

The mirror assembly or assemblies of the present invention may also include or house a plurality of electrical or electronic devices, such as antennas, including global positioning system (GPS) or cellular phone antennas, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,552, a communication module, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,688, displays, such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,240 and 6,329,925, blind spot detection systems, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,929,786 or 5,786,772, transmitters and/or receivers, such as garage door openers, a digital network, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,575, a high/low head lamp controller, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,093, a memory mirror system, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,176, a hands-free phone attachment, a video device for internal cabin surveillance and/or video telephone function, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,760,962 and 5,877,897, a remote keyless entry receiver, map lights, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,938,321; 5,813,745; 5,820,245; 5,673,994; 5,649,756; or 5,178,448, microphones, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,243,003 and 6,278,377, speakers, a compass, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,212 or U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10/456,599, filed Jun. 6, 2003 by Weller et al. for INTERIOR REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM WITH COMPASS, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,004,593, seat occupancy detector, a trip computer, an ONSTAR® system or the like (with all of the above-referenced patents and applications being commonly assigned to Donnelly Corporation, and with the disclosures of the referenced patents and applications being hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties).

The mirror assembly and/or reflective element of the present invention may include a printed circuit board (PCB) which may be attached to its rear surface (e.g. the fourth surface) by, for example, a suitable adhesive or the like. An example of such an arrangement is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,245, which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. The PCB optionally may include glare sensing and ambient photo sensors and electrochromic circuitry that automatically dims the reflectivity of the electrochromic mirror element when glare conditions are detected, such as at nighttime or the like. Alternately, the PCB may be snap connected, by a clip or otherwise attached, to a plastic plate that itself is adhered to the electrochromic element.

The printed circuit board may include electronic or electrical circuitry for actuating the variable reflectance of the reflective element and for operating other electrical or electronic functions supported in the rearview mirror assembly. The circuit board may support, for example, light emitting diodes (LEDs) for illuminating indicia on display elements provided on the chin of the bezel of the mirror assembly or display devices provided on the reflective element, or map or dash board lights or the like. The circuit board may be independently supported from the reflective element or in the casing or may be mounted to the reflective element's rear or fourth surface on a separate plate or may be directly adhered to the rear surface by a suitable adhesive. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,671,996 and 5,820,245, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Therefore, the present invention provides a reflective element which provides a combination of substantially transparent, conductive or semi-conductive layers and substantially reflective, conductive metallic layer or layers on one of the surfaces of the reflective element, such as the inward surface (or third surface) of a second substrate of an electrochromic reflective element or a rear surface (or fourth surface) of an electrochromic reflective element or a rear surface of a prismatic reflective element or the like. The reflective element of the present invention provides enhanced manufacturing processing of the reflective element, since the thicknesses of the layers and tolerances associated therewith are sufficiently large enough to be sputter coated or otherwise deposited via a low cost process. The reflective element of the present invention also provides for a reflective and transmissive element which allows transmission of display information through the reflective element, while still providing sufficient reflectance over the entire surface of the reflective element, even in the display area. Accordingly, multiple displays may be positioned on, at or around the reflective element, without loss of reflectivity of the element. The materials and thicknesses of the layers of the reflective element may be selected to spectrally tune the reflective element to allow transmission of one or more particular spectral bands or range of wavelengths, in order to tune the reflective element for use with a particular spectral band of light being emitted by a particular display. The materials and thicknesses of the layers may also be selected to spectrally tune the reflective element to enhance transmissivity of near infrared radiant energy. Also, the thicknesses of one or more layers may be varied across the mirror element to provide regions or areas of increased transmissivity for a display, while maintaining a desired level of reflectivity at the principle viewing area of the mirror element. The mirror element may comprise an electrochromic element or a prismatic element and may be implemented at an interior rearview mirror assembly or an exterior rearview mirror assembly. Optionally, the mirror element may comprise a substantially flat element or may comprise a curved element, such as a convex element or aspheric element or the like.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the principles of the invention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law. 

1. An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror system comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising a reflective element having a transparent substrate; a multi-zone mirror reflector established at a surface of said transparent substrate; wherein said multi-zone mirror reflector comprises at least a first zone and a second zone, and wherein at least one metallic reflective layer is commonly established at said surface and across said first and second zones of said multi-zone mirror reflector; wherein at least said second zone is partially transmissive to light passing therethrough; a display device disposed behind said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector; wherein said display device is operable to emit display information and wherein, when said display device is operating to emit display information, emitted display information passes through said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector for viewing by a driver operating the equipped vehicle; and wherein said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector has a degree of transmissivity of light therethrough that is greater than a degree of transmissivity of light through said first zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector.
 2. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said reflective element comprises an electro-optic reflective element comprising a first substrate and said transparent substrate, said first substrate having first and second surfaces and said transparent substrate having third and fourth surfaces, and wherein said first substrate and said transparent substrate are arranged so that said second surface opposes said third surface with an electro-optic medium disposed therebetween.
 3. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 2, wherein said multi-zone mirror reflector is established at said third surface of said transparent substrate.
 4. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said first zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector is at least generally centrally located at said transparent substrate, and wherein said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector is adjacent to said first zone and is located towards an end portion of said transparent substrate.
 5. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 4, wherein said multi-zone mirror reflector comprises a third zone, and wherein said third zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector is partially transmissive to light passing therethrough, and wherein a second display device is disposed behind said third zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector, and wherein, when said second display device is operating to emit display information, emitted display information passes through said third zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector for viewing by a driver operating the equipped vehicle.
 6. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said multi-zone mirror reflector comprises a multi-layer stack of thin film layers that includes said metallic reflective layer.
 7. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 6, wherein said multi-layer stack of thin film layers includes at least one transparent electrically conductive layer.
 8. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 6, wherein said thin film layers comprise said metallic layer and two metal oxide layers.
 9. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 8, wherein said metallic layer is selected from the group consisting of a silver metallic layer and a silver alloy metallic layer.
 10. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 8, wherein one of said two metal oxide layers comprises a transparent electrically conductive thin film layer.
 11. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 10, wherein said transparent electrically conductive thin film layer comprises a layer of indium tin oxide.
 12. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 11, wherein the other of said two metal oxide layers comprises a transparent electrically conductive layer.
 13. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 11, wherein the other of said two metal oxide layers comprises a layer of titanium dioxide.
 14. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 8, wherein each of said two metal oxide layers comprises a layer of indium tin oxide.
 15. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said multi-zone mirror reflector includes a gradient between said first and second zones of said multi-zone mirror reflector, and, wherein said at least one metallic reflective layer has a varying thickness across said gradient.
 16. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said first zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector is partially transmissive to light passing therethrough.
 17. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 16, wherein said multi-zone mirror reflector is established at said surface so that the transmissivity at said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector is greater than the transmissivity at said first zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector.
 18. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 17, wherein said at least one metallic reflective layer of said multi-zone mirror reflector is established during vacuum deposition thereof at said second zone utilizing a mask.
 19. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said multi-zone mirror reflector is established at said surface so that the reflectivity at said first zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector is greater than the reflectivity at said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector.
 20. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein the transmissivity at said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector is at least about 10 percent, and wherein the transmissivity at said first zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector is less than about 10 percent.
 21. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 20, wherein said first zone of said mirror reflector is substantially opaque.
 22. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein the reflectivity at said first zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector is at least about 55 percent, and wherein the reflectivity at said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector is less than about 55 percent.
 23. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said display device comprises a backlit active matrix liquid crystal video display screen, and wherein said backlit active matrix liquid crystal video display screen is backlit by a plurality of light emitting diodes;
 24. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 1, wherein said first zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector is substantially non transmissive of light therethrough.
 25. An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror system comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising an electro-optic reflective element; wherein said electro-optic reflective element has a first substrate having first and second surfaces and a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces, said first and second substrates being arranged so that said second surface opposes said third surface with an electro-optic medium disposed therebetween; a multi-zone mirror reflector established at said third surface of said second substrate; wherein said multi-zone mirror reflector comprises at least a first zone and a second zone, and wherein at least one metallic thin film layer and at least one metal oxide thin film layer are commonly established at said third surface and across said first and second zones of said multi-zone mirror reflector; wherein at least said second zone is partially transmissive to light passing therethrough; a display device disposed behind said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector; wherein said display device is operable to emit display information and wherein, when said display device is operating to emit display information, emitted display information passes through said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector for viewing by a driver operating the equipped vehicle; and wherein said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector has a degree of transmissivity of light therethrough that is greater than a degree of transmissivity of light through said first zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector.
 26. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 25, wherein said metallic thin film layer is selected from the group consisting of a silver metallic layer and a silver alloy metallic layer.
 27. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 25, wherein said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector is at least about 15 percent transmissive of said emitted display information passing therethrough, and wherein said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector provides greater than about 55 percent reflectance of light incident thereon as viewed by the driver operating the equipped vehicle.
 28. An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle, said interior rearview mirror system comprising: an interior rearview mirror assembly comprising an electrochromic reflective element; wherein said electrochromic reflective element has a first substrate having first and second surfaces and a second substrate having third and fourth surfaces, said first and second substrates being arranged so that said second surface opposes said third surface with an electrochromic medium disposed therebetween; a multi-zone mirror reflector established at said third surface of said second substrate; wherein said multi-zone mirror reflector comprises at least a first zone and a second zone, and wherein at least one metallic thin film layer is commonly established at said third surface and across said first and second zones of said multi-zone mirror reflector; wherein at least said second zone is partially transmissive to light passing therethrough; a backlit active matrix liquid crystal video display screen disposed behind said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector, wherein said backlit active matrix liquid crystal video display screen is backlit by a plurality of light emitting diodes; wherein said backlit active matrix liquid crystal video display screen is operable to emit display information and wherein, when said backlit active matrix liquid crystal video display screen is operating to emit display information, emitted display information passes through said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector for viewing by a driver operating the equipped vehicle; wherein said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector has a degree of transmissivity of light therethrough that is greater than a degree of transmissivity of light through said first zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector; and wherein said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector is at least about 15 percent transmissive of said emitted display information passing therethrough, and wherein said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector provides greater than about 55 percent reflectance of light incident thereon as viewed by the driver operating the equipped vehicle.
 29. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 28, wherein said multi-zone mirror reflector is established at said surface so that the transmissivity at said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector is greater than the transmissivity at said first zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector.
 30. The interior rearview mirror system of claim 28, wherein said multi-zone mirror reflector is established at said surface so that the reflectivity at said first zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector is greater than the reflectivity at said second zone of said multi-zone mirror reflector. 